Norfolk County Council is spending heavily on legal fees to fight parents over special education placements, raising concerns about children’s needs.
Norfolk: Parents have been appealing decisions about school placements for their kids with special educational needs and disabilities (SEND). In 2024 alone, there were over 455 appeals, a big jump from the previous year.
The costs for these placements are really piling up, putting a strain on the council’s budget. Instead of just meeting the needs of these kids, the council is spending money to fight back against parents in some cases.
With the rising costs of SEND education, council leaders are asking the government to rethink the system. They want to make sure that Norfolk’s unique challenges, like the lack of special school places, are considered during tribunal hearings.
But not everyone is on board with this idea. Critics say it’s a terrible move, suggesting it’s more about helping the council win cases than actually supporting the kids.
Last year, 159 of the appeals resulted in children being placed in special schools, but many cases are still unresolved. Out of 31 cases that went to court, 23 were decided in favor of the children.
Between April and December last year, the council spent a whopping £872,000 on legal fees just to defend its decisions. Most appeals are about whether kids should go to mainstream or specialist schools.
The council is also investing £120 million to build new specialist schools in places like Great Yarmouth and Fakenham. Even with more funded places, they’re still struggling to keep up with demand.
Sara Tough, the director of children’s services, has called out some private providers for making a profit off these services. The pressure is so intense that the council signed a “safety valve” agreement with the government, securing £70 million to support SEND services until 2029.
As part of this agreement, the council is pushing for changes in the law to allow tribunals to consider local plans when making decisions. They believe this could help balance the needs of all children, not just those appealing.
However, some local leaders, like independent councillor Maxine Webb, are not happy. She feels this approach is wrong and that it undermines the rights of children. She argues that it’s just a way for the council to cut costs without addressing the real issues.
Penny Carpenter, the cabinet member for children’s services, insists they’re advocating for national reforms. She believes the current system isn’t working and that collaboration is key to improving outcomes for children.
Ultimately, the council wants to focus resources on mainstream education while also ensuring that kids with special needs get the support they deserve.
