Local MP, Stephanie Peacock, has raised concerns that local children with Special Educational Needs and Disabilities are being left without the specialist support they need.

Last year, Barnsley council was reported to have accumulated a £11 million deficit in its SEND budget, with the potential to rise to £36.8m by 2025.

Without the necessary funding from the Government, local authorities like Barnsley don’t have enough to provide SEND places for those who need it, resulting in local nurseries and schools being forced to turn children away.

Ms Peacock raised this issue in Parliament, asking the Government what they are doing on to improve high needs support and education, and more specifically, how they will address the crisis local councils are facing in funding.

The MP commented:

‘As a former teacher, I have seen first-hand the value of proper support for children with special educational needs.
As an MP, however, I have heard countless stories of frustration from parents, who only want the best for their children, but can’t find a nursery or school place for them to get the support they need.

Without proper funding from Government, these children are being let down. More must be done to ensure they get the support they need.’