Kirklees Council is changing the way funding is provided to support school pupils with additional needs.

The plans will give schools more flexibility in meeting the needs of vulnerable children and young people – helping them to get the right support in the right place at the right time.

A new model will see mainstream schools grouped into ‘clusters’ based on their location. The council will then provide high needs funding to each cluster so that schools can use the money at the earliest opportunity and on a local level.

It will provide more quality and consistency for families and also mean a wider range of children and young people are able to be supported.

In developing the proposals, there has been close partnership working with the people affected, including schools, early years providers and local parent/carer group PCAN (Parents of Children with Additional Needs).

The aim is to maximise and improve support for families with Special Educational Needs and Disabilities (SEND). Other councils have already changed their funding systems in similar ways.

Importantly, funding will no longer be tied solely to children with an Educational Health and Care Plan, which widens the scope of those who receive support.

 

 

The move comes as the council prepares to build two new special schools, one in Almondbury and the other in Deighton.

Woodley School & College will move from Lowerhouses to the former Almondbury Community School site while Joseph Norton Academy will relocate from Scissett to the site of the demolished Deighton Centre.

Clr Habiban Zaman, Cabinet member for children’s services, said: “We believe strongly in our children being educated within their own communities, wherever possible.

“We believe in nurturing an inclusive schools system which meet the needs of children and young people in a range of different ways.

“The new approach will see schools share resources, expertise and good practice. Schools themselves, along with other partners including PCAN, have been key to developing these plans.

“Nationally, as well as locally, there is a growing demand for additional needs support. We need to reflect this and, over time, the new model should lead to a more sustainable, equitable and efficient system.

“We are committed to transforming the way SEND services are delivered in Kirklees so that children, young people and families are able to achieve the best possible outcomes.”

 

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The council’s Cabinet has agreed funding for the next stage in the £50 million construction of the two special schools.

This will enable the council to appoint a building contractor for the new Joseph Norton Academy and also appoint a specialist contractor to clear the Fernside Avenue site in Almondbury, ahead of a new school being built for Woodley.

Clr Zaman added: “The rebuilds are a key part of our work to transform local services linked to Special Educational Needs and Disabilities (SEND). They will support local pupils to fulfil their potential.

“We are building capacity in our schools system and addressing the rising demand for specialist places whilst providing top-class, modern facilities.

“These projects will also bring long-term financial savings by reducing the number of pupils who are educated elsewhere. Most importantly, they will support vulnerable children and young people to enjoy the best start in life.”

 

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