Cabinet to discuss investing in and creating additional capacity in SEND services

Next week, Cabinet members will meet to discuss additional capacity in Barnsley’s Special Educational Need and Disabilities (SEND) services to ensure it continues to meet statutory requirements given increased demand. This initiative aims to enhance support for children and young people with SEND and hearing and visual impairments to improve their educational experience.

To address the growing demand in Barnsley, which mirrors national trends, the proposal recommends increasing the use of Dedicated School's Grant (High Needs Block). The annual cost for the additional capacity is estimated at £599,870.

The investment would support the SEND Improvement and Sensory Support teams, ensuring that children with hearing and visual impairments receive the specialised support they need. Both teams would benefit from an increased number of staff, including Support Workers and Specialist Teachers.

This initiative aligns with our SEND Strategy, which aims to identify children's needs as early as possible, provide effective support, and enable children to thrive in local schools.

The proposal acknowledges the long-term benefits of supporting children in mainstream education and ensuring children get the specialist support they need.

Councillor Trevor Cave, Cabinet Spokesperson for Children’s Services, said: "We are dedicated to ensuring every child in Barnsley receives the support they need to thrive.

“This investment in our services will enhance education and inclusion for children with hearing and visual impairments, as well as those with special educational needs and disabilities.

“By increasing our services' capacity, we aim to provide specialised support that will make a meaningful difference.”