Pupils with special educational needs and disabilities - Find a freedom of information request

) How many pupils with special educational needs and disabilities (SEND) are being educated in independent schools paid for by council? 

a) Please break down the numbers by financial year for the following years 2023/4, 2023/22; 2021/22  

b) Please break down by private schools inside and outside borough 

c) Please break down the cost of these independent placements by financial year for the following years 2023/4; 2023/22; 2021/22 

For example: "in the financial year 2023/4, the council funded 145 pupils with SEND to attend independent special schools. 50 pupils attended private schools outside of the borough/ in a different local authority's area. The total cost of these private school placements was  £54,000"

If for data protection reasons it is not possible to provide a breakdown by financial year please provide the figures over the total three year period. 

For example.... "In the following financial years: (2023/4, 2023/22; 2021/22) the council paid for 231 SEND pupils to attend independent special schools. 81 of these pupils attended private schools outside of the borough/ in a different local authority's area. The total cost of sending pupils with SEND to independent special schools in and outside of the borough/ local authority area was £217,891"

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)a-c. Financial year 2021/22, the council funded 148 pupils with SEND to attend independent special schools.

102 pupils attended private schools outside of the borough/in a different local authority's area.

The total cost of these private school placements was £12,221,245.73

• Financial year 2022/23, the council funded 193 pupils with SEND to attend independent special schools.

119 pupils attended private schools outside of the borough/in a different local authority's area.

The total cost of these private school placements was £13,835,480.95

• Financial year 2023/24, the council funded 236 pupils with SEND to attend independent special schools.

144 pupils attended private schools outside of the borough/in a different local authority's area.

The total cost of these private school placements was £17,225,576.10