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Special educational needs support under threat in drive to reduce costs





The proposals to reduce the Higher Needs Budget from schools finances were discussed at a schools forum held in Newbury recently, and council officers laid out the proposed reductions to a range of services for SEN pupils.
West Berkshire Council service manager for the SEN and disabled children’s team, Jane Seymour, said: “Some of the services which are provided through the higher needs budget are statutory and can’t be reduced, so we have had to look at non-statutory services which can potentially be reduced.
“These could have negative implications on those with special educational needs and so we need to look at that when we make our decision.”
Among the recommendations for cuts is the equipment budget for SEN schools which funds large items such as specialist chairs and communication aids, and this could be almost halved from £38,470 to £20,000 in next year’s budget.
To achieve this, equipment would only be purchased for children attending mainstream and resourced schools, and special schools would be expected to fund this from their own budgets.
Other measures proposed to reduce the budget include a saving of £67,300 by not renewing one of the language and literacy centres based at Theale Primary School and The Winchcombe School.
These services provide intensive literacy support for 48 Year 5 primary school children with severe literacy difficulties each year and the potential closure has been identified because one of the teachers responsible is due to retire and this post has not yet been re-filled.
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