Double financial dilemma over children with SEND

Lancashire County may need to stump up double the extra cash it is already investing to clear a backlog of assessments of children who may have special educational needs and disabilities (SEND) - depending on how many of them are ultimately judged to need ongoing support.

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The authority has announced an additional £5.3m of SEND funding to get through the more than 1,800 outstanding cases awaiting consideration by educational psychologists.

The advice they provide will be key to determining whether the youngsters receive an education, health and care plan (EHCP).

Ofsted highlighted “unacceptable” delays in the process across the county council patch in an inspection published in February.