Hackney Council has announced additional funding for children with special educational needs and disabilities (SEND) at schools in Hackney.
The Council announced on 20 March that it has committed £1 million towards creating new places for 98 students, as well as a state-of-the-art new building in Stamford Hill.
This announcement is designed to ease the estimated 300-place shortfall of high needs places in primary and secondary schools.
Improving inclusivity in Hackney’s schools
Mayor Philip Glanville described the announcement as proof that the Council is “committed to supporting our schools to provide a broad and inclusive environment for all our young people”.
With this new funding in place, Side by Side, an independent school in Upper Clapton, will move into the new home on Lordship Lane. According to the council, this will provide up to 50 additional places.
Side by Side offers “specialist educational and therapeutic intervention” for children aged between two and 19 and works closely with the orthodox Jewish Charedi community in Hackney.
Providing targeted support
The funding will also provide three mainstream schools in Hackney, with 48 new additional resource provision (ARP) places within their existing buildings. These places are designed to provide specialist and targeted support for children with long term special-educational needs within non-specialist schools.
Hackney Council secured the £1 million in funding from the government’s high needs allocations, which give local authorities the financial support to create new places for SEND children.
In July 2021, the Council was allocated £2.72 million to fund SEND places. This was the second most any inner-London borough received after Wandsworth. It is unclear whether the £1 million announced is part of the £2.72 million, and whether the council has additional plans for the remaining funds.
Improving Hackney Council’s educational policies
Cllr Caroline Woodley, Cabinet Member for Families, Early Years and Play, said “increasing places for children and young people with special educational needs and disabilities in the borough is a priority for Hackney Council”.
According to Cllr Antoinette Bramble, Cabinet Member for Education, Young People and Children’s Social Care, the borough has seen a 49% increase in the number of children with education, health and social care plans over the last five years.
“This leaves a funding gap of £15 million by the end of this financial year. The government must help us meet this shortfall,” said Cllr Bramble.
“These new places are part of our local plan to help meet these challenges – working closely with parents, young people and teachers to provide the much needed places for our children and young people.”
Hackney Council was approached for comment.
