Head cautions against 'putting price on SEND'

THE head of an independent school which accepts special needs pupils has warned against putting a price on education.

- MARTYN SMITH

Dudley Council's children’s services is facing increasing demand for special educational needs and disabilities (SEND) services and rising costs are squeezing already strained council budgets.

The council’s SEND and AP Sufficiency Strategy for 2024 to 2031 states the authority had 296 SEND pupils in independent schools in June 2024, costing £15.8m per year, while council-run provision for 1,068 SEND pupils at the same time cost £14.1m per year.

The authority plans to cut costs by bringing more pupils back into its services, rather than paying independent schools.