Last week Skipton and Ripon MP, Julian Smith, met with North Yorkshire Council’s Corporate Director of Children and Young People's Service, Stuart Carlton.
Mr Smith and Mr Carlton discussed a range of issues, in particular the demand for special education needs and disabilities (SEND) services across North Yorkshire. SEND can impact a young person's ability to learn. This can manifest in issues with behaviour or social interaction, difficulties with reading and writing - such as those associated with dyslexia, problems with understanding information, issues with concentration - such as attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) and physical impairments.
Last November, North Yorkshire Council disclosed that it is already facing an annual deficit of £13 million for SEND placements and could encounter a financial shortfall of up to £100 million within four years due to the rapidly increasing demand for SEND support services.
In February 2024, the Levelling Up, Housing and Communities Committee published a report on financial distress in local authorities. Among other areas, the report addressed financial pressures resulting from SEND expenditure.
Commenting on the meeting Mr Smith said, “It was great to meet with Stuart to discuss several issues raised with me by many parents across the constituency about funding and access to SEND services as well as schools funding generally.
“The meeting was also a good opportunity for Stuart to raise his concerns with me to take up with the Government in Westminster.
“I am grateful to Stuart for looking into the issues I raised and I look forward to raising his concerns with the Government now that Parliament has returned from recess.”
