Buckinghamshire Council says it is continuing to invest heavily in support for children with Special Educational Needs and Disabilities (SEND), but parents and campaigners remain concerned about whether the pace of change is fast enough to meet growing demand.
The council has announced that it is expanding the number of specialist SEND school places, with 328 new places created over the past five years and nearly 300 more planned over the next four years. The investment totals over £28 million when including future plans, with funding sourced from both government grants and developer contributions.
New units such as The Nest at Juniper Hill School in Flackwell Heath have been welcomed by local school leaders. Headteacher Claire Garnett described the dedicated facility as “bespoke” and “vital” for supporting children who have experienced trauma or struggle in a traditional classroom environment.
Councillor Ade Osibogun, Cabinet Member for Education and Children’s Services, said the council is making “major progress” in expanding capacity. “It is an absolute priority to make sure every child in Buckinghamshire has the education they are entitled to,” he said.
However, despite the positive headlines, families using the SEND system report that provision is still patchy, with long waits for assessments, delays in securing Education, Health and Care Plans (EHCPs), and some children still being educated out of county due to a lack of suitable local places.
Recent reports from Ofsted and the Care Quality Commission have also highlighted ongoing challenges in Buckinghamshire’s SEND provision, particularly around coordination between education, health, and care services. Some parents have described the process as “exhausting” and “deeply frustrating”.
Campaigners argue that while new places are welcome, they are not being delivered quickly enough to keep pace with rising demand. The number of EHCPs issued in Buckinghamshire has increased significantly in recent years, a trend echoed nationally.
Questions also remain about staffing, with schools facing difficulties in recruiting enough specialist teachers and support staff to meet children’s complex needs.
The council has indicated that if government approval is given for a new Special Free School focused on Social, Emotional and Mental Health (SEMH) needs, 152 more places could become available. But confirmation of that project remains uncertain under the new administration.
As Buckinghamshire continues its SEND investment drive, families and advocates will be watching closely to see if the council can match its ambition with delivery on the ground.
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