Hackney parents taking fight over special educational needs cuts to Supreme Court
A huge protest took place outisde Hackney Town Hall. Picture: Melissa Byers - Credit: Archant
Parents are taking their fight against cuts to special educational needs services in Hackney to the Supreme Court.
The Hackney Special Education Crisis (HSEC) has so far crowdfunded £4,660 to cover legal costs, as it builds a case against Hackney Council with the intention of launching a judicial review.
The special educational needs and disabilities (SEND) budget was cut by 5 per cent in April after a £6.1m shortfall last year. The move could force schools into cutting services like teaching specialists or speech and language therapy.
HSEC activist Gillian Doherty told the Gazette: “The thing with disabled children is that they do have legal protection and we have realised that through funding cuts that those legal rights are being eroded in a way that is unacceptable, so our campaign is as much about exposing that locally as it is nationally.”
In February the Gazette reported on a large protest outside Hackney Town Hall, where parents and activists urged against further SEND cuts. The council blames its decision on a government funding freeze since 2011/12.
You may also want to watch:
Martin Powell-Davies, of the National Union of Teachers said: “The pressures on education budgets in Hackney are a shocking example of the impossible demands being made by this government on councils across London. Cuts are starving councils of the resources they need to support High Needs Pupils.”
A Department for Education spokeswoman said: “The high needs budget for pupils with special educational needs is £6 billion – the highest on record, and core school funding will rise to a record £43.5bn by 2020.
Most Read
- 1 Haggerston tenants 'in the dark' after scaffolding left up for a year
- 2 Hackney schoolgirl and actress Bukky Bakray wins Bafta
- 3 Hackney and Islington have some of the loudest neighbours in London
- 4 Jailed: Newham men who raped and robbed women in Hackney home
- 5 Campaign to keep Hackney Wick 'alive' with street art
- 6 Hackney people encouraged to shop local for April 12 reopening
- 7 Garden of Lament, Covid, Ramadan, homing cats and Islamophobia
- 8 Hackney's great beer gardens reopening on April 12
- 9 Hoxton restaurant showcases menus by New City College student chefs
- 10 Tote bags help tackle homelessness and addiction
“We want to make sure all families and children with special educational needs get the support they need – which is why we are undertaking the biggest reforms in a generation to put families at the heart of the process.”
HSEC are working with law firm Irwin Mitchell LLP, who are also consulting similar groups across the country.
A town hall spokeswoman said: “The council, like many around the country, has been subsidising SEND services from reserves or other budget areas. Unfortunately, ongoing funding pressures is making this increasingly untenable.”
