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Suffolk County Council approves £9.1m special education needs funding boost amid soaring costs

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Suffolk County Council approves an additional £9.1 million investment in special educational needs and disability (SEND) services over the next three years as demand surges and costs spiral.

Cover photo with the title "A funding crisis?"
Does Suffolk have a special education needs funding crisis?

Suffolk County Council approved the spending in a meeting on Wednesday, 24 July.

Why it matters: The funding aims to address "widespread and/or systemic failing" identified in a recent Ofsted inspection but comes as the council grapples with significant overspending on SEND provision.

In numbers:

  • 8,587 children and young people in Suffolk have an Education, Health and Care Plan (EHCP) as of May 2024

  • 12,000 additional children receive SEN Support from their schools

  • Only 16% of EHCPs were issued within the statutory 20-week timeframe in April 2024

  • The council has a £26.5 million overspend on its Dedicated Schools Grant, with £27.7 million related to SEND provision

The big picture: Like many local authorities, Suffolk struggles to meet growing SEND demand with limited resources. The council faces a £55.7 million deficit on its High Needs Block for 2023-24.

The high-needs funding system supports provision for children and young people with special educational needs and disabilities (SEND) from their early years to age 25, enabling local authorities and institutions to meet their statutory duties under the Children and Families Act 2014.

What Suffolk County Council says: "This significant investment demonstrates our commitment to improving SEND services in Suffolk," said Councillor Andrew Reid, Cabinet Member for Education and SEND. "While we recognise the financial challenges, it's essential we provide the necessary resources to support children and young people with special educational needs."

What's next: If approved, the council aims to:

  • Hire 12 additional experienced Family Services Coordinators

  • Extend contracts for more Educational Psychology advice

  • Add five coordinators to support the annual review process

  • Create 15 new support and management roles

The bottom line: While the proposed investment shows a commitment to improving SEND services, it remains uncertain whether it will address the sector's growing demand and rising costs.

Get in touch: Are you a parent of a child receiving SEND education in Suffolk? We want to hear your views. Email Oliver Roaune-Williams, Editor of Ipswich.co.uk: editor@ipswich.co.uk.

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Computer scientist son of micro-brewery owner first to complete Ipswich pub trail

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Adam Littler, a 23-year-old computer scientist whose parents were brewers, has become the first person to complete both Sip'Swich drinks trails, visiting all 15 venues in just two days.

Why it matters: The Sip'Swich trails, organised by Ipswich Central  in conjunction with Ipswich Borough Council, aim to showcase the town's brilliant selection of pubs and bars to a wider audience, helping people discover new venues they've never visited before.

The big picture: Littler, who moved to Ipswich six months ago, was awarded a limited edition Sip'Swich reusable cup and received a surprise £50 voucher from men's retailer James St. Peter's for being the first to complete both trails.

Mark Hubert of James St. Peters presenting Adam Littler with his voucher
Mark Hubert of James St. Peters presenting Adam Littler with his voucherIpswich Central

What they're saying: "Having moved to Ipswich six months ago and loving a drink with friends, when I saw the trails being promoted in the local paper newsfeed it was right up my street as something to do!" Littler said.

By the numbers: The ambitious pub-goer visited 13 venues on Saturday 8 March before returning to complete the final two a couple of days later. He collected his prize less than a week after the trails launched.

The details: As a computer scientist with brewing in his blood, Littler scored each location on a 1-10 scale rating for enjoyment of the drink, price and atmosphere.

"The Arbor House and Crafty Fox were two venues that I was really impressed with for their friendly and knowledgeable staff plus recommendations they made. The Arbor House was an unexpected gem that I'd go back to, and, the Crafty Fox had a really lovely vibe about it," he said.

To make the challenge more interesting, Littler had a different type of drink in every venue, including wine at Boom Battle Bar, a cocktail at Cosy Club and a spirit at The Black Horse Inn.

Adam Littler sitting in a cafe
Adam Littler was the first to complete the Sip'Swich trailAdam Littler

What's next: Littler plans to do the trail again with another group of friends so his girlfriend can also win a reusable cup. Meanwhile, the trails will run until the end of April or when all prizes have been claimed.

Lee Walker  from Ipswich Central said:

Ipswich is so lucky to have an incredible range of pubs and bars each with their own character and ambience. We devised Sip'Swich as a way of showcasing those places to a wider audience.

The bottom line: Further special prizes will be awarded over the coming weeks, including a voucher for a brewery tour donated by the Briarbank Brewery. Details and trail cards can be downloaded from www.allaboutIpswich.com/sipswich or collected from any of the 15 participating venues.

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