by Charlie King

Sheffield City Council has approved funding of £10m for Special Educational Needs and Disabilities resources this afternoon.

Today the government set out plans for major changes to the SEND system, planning to spend £4bn in mainstream schools across the country over the next three years. The programme aims to provide support for special needs children in schools, rather than private equity backed schools.

Strategic Commissioning Manager, Matthew Peers, said : “There is a clear consensus this is a genuine opportunity to improve our approach.

“We need to make sure we spend the money wisely, with consistency in quality of practice.”

Plans have already been scrapped for two specialist free schools in Sheffield, as the city aims to reform its Education Care plans.

Cllr Dawn Dale said : “Children shouldn’t have to be transported across the city to feel included.”

Many councillors questioned whether the funding of £10m was sufficient, Cllr Douglas Johnson said : “While I support the overarching philosophy I have doubts about resources and whether it was enough.”

Council to decide on major funding for SEND provision across the city – Sheffield Wire