SEN funding isn't a bottomless money pit

[Sogfree]

I'll preface this by saying I really enjoy my job working in a SEN school. I care deeply for the children and families I work with.

I've had 4 different conversations this week with parents where they expect an excessive amount of additional resource to be allocated to their child. They expect this as, in their opinion, it's needed. I disagree with 3 of the 4 parents that this is needed.

All 4 of the parents are going to fight the decisions county have made. Their decision to fight will mean county spend more money arguing the challenge.

Services are already broken with the increase in need. Recruitment fails, as there aren't enough speech therapists/OTs/CAMHS practitioners etc to employ.

One parent demanding extra from one of these services means another child gets less.

One parent demanding a child goes to school X at £100k per year when a place at school Y at £30k is going to meet their needs means the child who needs the place at school X doesn't get it, and extra £70k per year is wasted. And the parent keeps their child out of school for 12-18 months whilst they fight for the place at school X.

That's the reality.

Every parent wants the world for their child. I understand that. But taxpayers can't afford to give every child the world.

AIBU - parents know their child best and we should fund what the parents say the child needs

YANBU - there's only so much money to go around and parents need to accept hard decisions have to be made without challenging them

With cuts to disability benefits and the changing attitude towards those with disabilities and this expectation that they work I would argue that SEN funding for children will be even more important - these children deserve the very best help possible especially if they are going to be left high and dry as teenagers and adults and perhaps not able to claim support like PIP .

It seems to be very much the attitude that those with SEN/disability must work but then you see threads where people are moaning about colleagues who struggle and need adjustments then you see threads like this where people begrudge the support needed in early and primary years to improve outcomes for children . You can’t win . Sometimes I feel like there is a group in society that just wants us/our children to disappear!

When children aren't provided with appropriate education and childcare opportunities, it removes their parents from the tax-paying workforce.

But of course everyone’s fine with the government spending 15 billion on nuclear warheads that will 99.9% never be used 🤦

Well.. let’s hope the war heads won’t be needed, the deterrent might be enough one hopes.

Or do you think sen schools are going to protect us from marauding dictators?

It’ is not the state’s job to provide you with childcare, that’s your responsibility when you become a parent I think you will find.

Well it shouldn’t bd an “either / or” situation - defence is important as well, if we want to live in a free country, but education is crucial too.

I doubt even 15 billions worth would give us more than Russia though so I can’t see how it would be a real deterrent. The government spending on such things at the expense of the disabled and children is like bad parents spending all their money on unecessary things for themselves and letting their children go without and go hungry . Apparently the PIP cuts will save approx 5 billion ? Why can’t Starmer just get 10 billion of warheads and not go ahead with the benefit reforms ? Why are people now turning their attention to the SEN budget ? It’s targeting the most vulnerable in society and it’s wrong. If there was more SEN funding and better provisions for things like early SEN diagnosis there could be a long term plan that would be better economically and for the vulnerable but everyone wants that quick fix and that means some groups will suffer.

Just to point out that councils are not allowed to open new schools, this was taken from them with the academisation agenda. They can work with an academy trust but they take a risk with public money because they would, in effect, be handing millions pounds to an academy trust. That's a huge risk given the fat cat wages at the top of academy trusts.

It’s certainly eye opening to see the “educated middle class” views on disability- and how little empathy and human decency they have.

I can’t vote because it’s not that black and white. To a point the OP is right for so many complex reasons but much boils down to the fact that there is an absolute loss of trust and respect for authority at every level. Therefore a parent won’t believe what you have to say and their starting point is to appeal. That’s probably because they have been through it many times and have already had to fight. I would do the same.

however many LEA’s have absolutely no money and are part or organisations that are on the brink of bankruptcy.

Forcing some SEN kids through mainstream creates problems later on. Being in mainstream can cause mental health problems leading to an in increase in need for NHS funding as children move into adulthood. By not meeting need in earlier life also increases problems in the justice system. Whilst I agree that some parents want the moon on a stick why wouldn’t we want to put reasonable adjustments in early on to head off problems in later life? It’s not a straightforward SEN funding issue, there are more threads to this problem. And I agree with the @pinkfoxcubs comment about the billions on war preparations!

Nobody knows if they will have a child with a disability and then often these parents cannot work

I agree with this. The ones who shout loudest get the most. It should absolutely be based on assessed need, but I have seen several examples where through clever arguing from private professionals (who are biased as they are making more money by advising higher need and then end up commissioned to meet that need) children have received an excessive level of provision.

Of course, every parent wants the best for their child, we all do, but there has to be a level of realism. For example, i have families who think if their child gets enough physio they will walk independently for example and they fight for huge physio provision in their ehcp. Unfortunately some children are never going to walk no matter how much and how skilled their physio is.

You mean prove their case based on evidence.

If they are able to do that successfully then clearly they were right and your opinion regarding their child was incorrect.

The parents are trying to ensure that
their children receive an education. They are fighting against so many hurdles and barriers.

Considering where you work, I would reflect on your feelings around this as your attitude could impact your work and the way you interact with parents.

As a SEN parent myself, I always like to remind people that every single one of us, if fortunate to be born without a disability, is only one serious illness or freak accident away from disability. Now, if you were to find yourself, or a loved one, in this situation would you not want to be able to access support, equipment, adaptations, in order for you or them, to continue living life? How would you feel if someone said, ‘look the pots running dry, so you’re just gonna have to be grateful for any crumbs you get thrown’ bet you wouldn’t like it and I’m sure you would challenge it.

Also, how much do you take from the taxpayers pot yourself OP? Are you a net contributor? Can you make some personal cuts to ease burden on tax payer?

Let’s not forget to subsidise tax cuts for billionaires

And when these children who won’t ever walk that you mention try to claim PIP they may get a high mobility award but if they don’t get a least 4 points in one area on daily living they don’t get what they should and they then struggle financially…. So surely it makes sense to offer that physio provision to as many as possible as then it will at least help some. You can’t just write people off as children what sort of society does that?

I agree it feels like a waste of money. But not having them leaves us in a very vunerable to attack, and with increasing political instability we have to demonstrate an ability to protect ourselves.

Agreed, most people aren’t net contributors (according to the ONS, over 50% of household receive more in cash benefits than they pay in tax, and that before you factor in things like paying for hospitals, police, schools, roads, bin collections etc. But I was talking about population level outcomes. A better educated workforce results in a more prosperous population. And that’s before you remember that we’re talking about children’s lives. We should Invest in them now to help them need less support in the future and lead more fulfilling lives. I just don’t understand people who can’t get behind that.

https://www.epi.org/publication/states-education-productivity-growth-foundations/

It’s quite concerning to me that OP has this attitude and works in a SEN school

Tribunal hearings are heavily evidence based. Imo LAs fail so much because the professionals they use don't assess to the right standard and/or try and omit provision that is needed because of their "feelings'. I'd also say LA rely too much on legal representation. Barristers can only do so much if the evidence their client has is purposefully vague.

The system is too slow and money does get wasted. DS3 is on roll at an independent special school, but hasn't attended at all since February and was only ever part time. I'm funding alternative provision as it's been refused.

Mine probably won't. Well he's going to get some kind of work and pay but it will be a special workplace with monitors helping out so subsided by the taxpayer in the end. What do you suggest though ; that he does nothing and just receive benefits ? That's detrimental to him AND the society.

Work in mainstream and the same there with some parents OP.
Eg expecting our senco to be their PA and email every other day when they already have a daily communication book and several layers of different planning, resources, everything than most children.
Some SEN parents are literally pushing teachers on their knees - nothing is good enough!

I agree sadly.

Not all of them. Not unless SEN schools drastically change anyway.

My son's best place is his mainstream school with extra support.