Head teacher complains over council SEND payment

Bracknell Forest Council recently joined a government programme to reduce it’s overspend on SEND

A head teacher has been "forced" to complain to the government over a late special educational needs and disabilities (SEND) payment from a local authority.

The complaint, made to the Department of Education, was recently discussed at a Bracknell Forest Council meeting.

Councillor Roy Bailey, in charge of children and learning at the authority, told the meeting: “We get too many complaints; we’ve got much better at dealing with them.”

Both the head teacher's name, and the school they represent, are unknown.

Conservative councillor Gareth Barnard, who represents Whitegrove, said it was "unacceptable" that the head teacher had been "left with no option" but to take the council through a complaints process.

The Labour-controlled local authority recently joined a controversial government programme to reduce its overspend on SEND, known as the "safety valve".

Two new SEND schools are due to be built in the borough by 2026 as part of the agreement.

The complaint was further evidence that "unfortunately the progress on the operational day-to-day delivery is not progressing as fast as some might see", Mr Barnard said.

He added that the council's previous Conservative leadership had also failed to "get it right" on SEND provision.

In response to Mr Barnard's comments, Mr Bailey said: “I was aware of that particular case, I know the individual well and the reasons behind it."

He added that he was keeping a "close eye" on the case.

Leader of the authority Mary Temperton added: “I assure you we will look at this very carefully.”