Liberal Democrats propose long-term strategy to build more Special Educational Needs Schools in Worcestershire

During the Worcestershire County Council budget meeting on Thursday, 26th February, Liberal Democrat councillors will be proposing that the council fund a feasibility study to convert existing council buildings into smaller Special Educational Needs Schools.

In April 2024, Worcestershire County Council was judged to have widespread and systematic failings in its approach to SEND by Ofsted. Inspectors called for action after finding widespread failings in the services for children with special educational needs.

The Lib Dem proposal requests all councillors to donate a contribution from their Locally Determined Fund of £4000 to be allocated to this project so that the council can evaluate which buildings, already owned by the council, have the potential to be converted to provide education for those with special needs and disabilities.

County Councillor Dan Boatright-Greene says: “The buildings are there, let’s use them. Too many children are being let down by the system. They are waiting too long to have their needs identified, but when that is established, we don’t have the schools and settings for them to learn.”

“As a result, too many of our young people are being taxied out of the county when they could learn right here in Worcestershire if we had the right schools. The new announcements from the government still fail to address the greatest pressures we have on our SEND provision. Not everyone can learn in a mainstream school, and we can use the buildings we already own, to provide the spaces young people need to flourish.”

Evesham Town Councillor, Matt Jones, who recently faced the closure of The Vale of Evesham School’s residential provision due to 'dwindling numbers' says: “We need a more proactive approach to SEND provision in Worcestershire. We cannot rely on private schools or academies to fill the gap without a plan. We need to find the sites and get on with the job. Too many young people are being left behind.”