Norfolk County Council has spent a staggering £870,000 on legal fees fighting parents over school placements for children with special needs
Norfolk: So, get this. Last year, Norfolk County Council spent over £870,000 battling parents over school placements for kids with special needs. Crazy, right?
They racked up £872,000 in legal fees just trying to sort out disputes about special educational needs and disabilities (SEND) placements. That’s a lot of cash!
Parents filed 455 appeals against the council’s decisions, which is a big jump from 308 the year before. It seems like more families are feeling the pressure.
Out of those appeals, 159 kids ended up in special schools, but there are still loads of cases hanging in the air. It’s a bit of a mess.
Now, the council’s director of children’s services, Sara Tough, has called out some private providers for “profiteering” off these situations. It’s a tough spot for everyone involved.
They’ve even asked the Department for Education to tweak tribunal laws so local factors can be considered when making decisions. Sounds reasonable, right?
The idea is to let tribunals look at the council’s “safety valve” status and their Local First Inclusion plan when reviewing cases. But, it’s not as simple as it sounds.
A council spokeswoman pointed out that the current tribunal process doesn’t take these extra factors into account, which is frustrating for families.
But here’s the kicker: any changes would need new laws, so the council can’t just do it on their own.
Critics aren’t happy about the proposed changes. Maxine Webb, an independent county councillor and a mom of a child with special needs, called it “deplorable.”
She feels families are being let down and that the council is just trying to cut costs instead of really helping kids. It’s a tough pill to swallow.
On the flip side, Penny Carpenter, a cabinet member for children’s services, insists that reform is needed. She says the current system isn’t working for kids.
She believes most kids should be in mainstream education in their local communities, and that’s where resources should go.
Interestingly, the council has invested £120 million in building new specialist schools in places like Great Yarmouth and Fakenham. They’re trying to keep up with demand.
Even with all that investment, they’re still facing challenges with capacity. It’s a tough balancing act.
In March 2023, they got a “safety valve” agreement from the government, which gave them £70 million for education services and SEND support until 2029. That’s a lifeline!
This funding is meant to help tackle the council’s deficit, which has grown due to more kids needing specialist support. It’s a complicated situation for sure.
