Care and education for children with special educational needs (SEN). - Find a freedom of information request

Under the Freedom of Information Act, I would like to request the following information regarding care and education for children with special educational needs (SEN).

I am aware of data published by the Department for Education. However, the 'Education, health and care plans' data set (https://explore-education-statistics.service.gov.uk/findstatistics/education-health-and-care-plans) does not provide any granular breakdown by primary type of SEN need. I am also aware of the 'Special education needs in England' data set (https://www.gov.uk/government/collections/statistics-special-educational-needs-sen), which includes the number of pupils with SEN by primary type of need but excludes independent special schools, meaning that it cannot be directly compared or combined with the 'Education, health and care plans' data set. Therefore, I would like to request the following information:

1. Please could you supply the name, job title, email address and telephone number of the commissioner with responsibility for children and young people's SEN placements.

For questions 2 through 8, please supply the following information for the financial years 2017/18 to 2023/24, and where possible, budgeted or projected figures available for 2024/25. Please note that 'all 'Special School' categories' is to include state-funded nursery, primary, and secondary special schools, non-maintained special schools, pupil referral units, and independent special schools

Please note the category of 'SLCN' refers to Speech, Language and Communications Needs. When writing an EHC Plan and designating the primary support need, there is often confusion as to whether the primary need should be SLCN or ASD as they are often interlinked. Usually, the prevalent presenting need should be recorded as the primary need, however I will be asking for the number of children with and EHC Plan with SLCN as a primary and secondary need to ensure all children are counted.

2. Please provide the total number of children and young people for whom the authority maintains a statement of SEN or EHC Plan with a: a. primary need of SLCN b. secondary need of SLCN

3. Please provide the total number of children and young people for whom the authority maintains a statement of SEN or EHC Plan in all 'Special school' categories with a; a. primary need of SLCN b. secondary need of SLCN

4. Please provide the total number of children and young people for whom the authority maintains a statement of SEN or EHC Plan in a 'Special school: independent special school' only with a; a. primary need of SLCN b. secondary need of SLCN

5. Please provide the local authority's total expenditure on SEN placements in 'Special school: independent special schools'

6. Please provide the local authority's total net expenditure on SEN placements in 'Special school: independent special schools' with a; a. primary need of SLCN b. secondary need of SLCN

7. Of the total number of children and young people with a statement of SEN or EHC Plan who are attending all 'Special School' categories, please provide the number that are placed out of area (i.e. outside the local authority boundary) with a; a. primary need of SLCN b. secondary need of SLCN

8. Please provide the total number of children and young people for whom the authority maintains a statement of SEN or EHC Plan in a 'Special school: independent special school' that are in;

a. Day placements (no boarding component)

b. 38 or 52-week placements (boarding component)

I can confirm that the information requested is held by Lincolnshire County Council. I have detailed below the information that is being released to you. 

1. Amy Allcock, Children’s Commissioning Manager, amy.allcock@lincolnshire.gov.uk

2a. There are a total of 1514 children and young people in Lincolnshire who we maintain an EHC plan for with SLCN as a primary need.

b. Lincolnshire County Council does not hold this information

3a. There are a total of 372 children and young people in all special schools with a primary needs of SLCN.

b. Lincolnshire County Council does not hold this information

4a. There are a total of 27 children and young people with a primary needs of SLCN.

b. Lincolnshire County Council does not hold this information

5.

6.

7a. There are a total of 156 children and young people who attend a special school placement outside of the LA

b. Lincolnshire County Council does not hold this information

8a. There are a total of 243 children and young people currently accessing a specialist independent school.

b. There are a total of 25 children and young people currently accessing a specialist independent school.