‘We’re spending too much on agency staff and out-of-borough schools’

Tameside: Council leaders are saying things are finally looking up after years of struggling with staffing in special needs education. They’ve recently approved a hefty £750,000 to boost the special educational needs and disabilities (SEND) workforce.

This funding has helped bring in 11 case officers, two senior case officers, and three admin staff. It’s a big step, especially since they’re seeing more and more demand for these services.

Last year, data showed that 9% of kids in Tameside schools had an education, health, and care plan (EHCP). That’s way above the national average of 4.3%. It’s clear they need to step up their game.

Getting an EHCP can take ages, sometimes even years. It’s crucial because it outlines what support a child needs, whether that’s extra help in a regular school or a spot in a specialist school.

But all this support doesn’t come cheap. Local councils like Tameside often have to cover transport costs, hire extra staff, or pay for independent specialist schools, which can really add up.

At a recent meeting, Jill Colbert OBE, the new director of children’s services, mentioned they’re spending way too much on agency staff and out-of-borough placements. But she’s optimistic they can turn things around.

A report showed that if things keep going this way, the number of kids needing extra help could jump by 213% by 2031/32. That would mean costs skyrocketing by 200% and new placements could hit a staggering £111 million.

To tackle this, SEND leaders are working on a new strategy. They want to speed up EHCP reviews, train more staff, and set up SEND units in regular schools to cut down on the need for special schools.

This is all part of a recovery plan for the children’s services department, which was rated ‘inadequate’ by Ofsted last year. They’ve got a lot of work ahead, but it sounds like they’re on the right track.