Today (26 June) three families are in the high court arguing that the government’s current level of funding for SEN support in schools is unlawful.
Families from North Yorkshire, Birmingham and East Sussex instructed specialist lawyers at Irwin Mitchell to issue a Judicial Review into the legality of how the government provides funding for SEN to local authorities.
The case will be heard at a full two-day hearing in the High Court, today and tomorrow (26 and 27 June).
Amanda Batten, Chair of Disabled Children’s Partnership and CEO at Contact, said: “All children have the right to a decent education. It is fundamentally wrong that families already under tremendous pressure are having to fight in the courts to ensure the government gives enough money for their children’s education.
“What is more, it is not just cuts to education that impact on disabled children and their families – they are suffering from a triple whammy of cuts to education, health and social care provision. DCP’s recent research found an annual funding gap of £434million for social care alone. We are calling for the government to ‘give it back’ and properly fund services and support for disabled children and those with special educational needs.
“The families that DCP organisations support across the country tell us of their increased frustration, and in some cases desperation, at the impact of cuts in all aspects of disabled children’s lives.”