The plan, which outlines how the Council and its partners will implement national reforms for children and young people with additional needs, was praised by the Minister of State for School Standards, Georgia Gould, and the Minister of State for Social Care and Mental Health, Alison McGovern, in a letter at the start of October. They commended the Council's commitment, local leadership, and relationship-building efforts.
Key aspects of the plan include increased investment in specialist resource provisions at academies such as Scartho and Waltham Gateway Academies, and Littlecoates Primary Academy. Further provisions are also being developed at Bursar Primary Academy and Welholme Academy. The initiative also proposes 'Experts at Hand', a scheme to embed educational psychologists and other professionals within schools to offer tailored support.
Following the plan's approval, the Government has agreed to write off approximately £25 million of the Council's deficit related to schools and education expenditure up to the end of the 2025-26 financial year, covering around 90% of the total education deficit. This deficit represents the gap between government funding via the Dedicated Schools Grant (DSG) and the Council's actual spending on local education.
“"These reforms are potentially seismic for children and their families, so it’s important that we get it right. Officers have done a lot of work to consider what types of support will work best in our area, and the Government have now shown confidence in our approach."
Further information on the Government’s SEND Reforms can be found at www.gov.uk.
