The number of children with special educational needs in Northumberland is on the rise, creating challenges for local schools and services.
From 2017 to 2024, the number of pupils with an Education and Healthcare Plan jumped from 1,679 to 3,427. That’s a whopping 104% increase! While this trend is seen nationwide, Northumberland’s rise is even steeper.
At a recent council meeting, officials expressed concerns about this ongoing trend. Sue Aviston, who heads the schools organization, mentioned that the system is under serious strain.
She pointed out that to meet the growing needs, they’ve added 600 special school places over the last decade. But even with these efforts, the demand is outpacing what they can provide.
Sue also shared that they expect an 18% annual increase in children with autism and a 19% rise in those needing support for social and emotional issues. If this keeps up, they’ll need an extra 1,700 places by 2028.
The financial burden is heavy too. The council has spent an extra £50 million on care for both adults and children in the last five years. The school transport budget alone has nearly doubled in just four years.
Councillor Trevor Thorne raised a valid point about the reasons behind these rising numbers. He wondered if they’re just getting better at identifying children’s needs.
Sue admitted it’s a complicated issue. Early diagnosis and better identification in schools are part of the picture.
Education director David Street added that this situation isn’t unique to Northumberland. There’s a national inquiry looking into it, as many areas face similar challenges.
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