Nursery World - Charities call on education secretary to challenge 'devastating' cuts to SEND provision

The National Deaf Children's Society and the Royal National Institute of Blind People say the £700,000 cuts to SEND support in Hampshire are potentially unlawful.

The move by Hampshire County Council is expected to affect almost 2,000 deaf or visually impaired children.

The council’s decision to cut the amount of money it spends on SEND provision will mean a reduction in frontline staff and to support visits for deaf and visually impaired children in schools throughout the county.

The National Deaf Children’s Society and the Royal National Institute of Blind People (RNIB) have both slammed the move by the council. The NDCS is considering legal action to force the council to reverse its decision.

The charities are also calling on the education secretary Damian Hinds, who is the MP for East Hampshire, to 'stand up' for SEND education. They want him to challenge the council’s decision, as well as make the strongest case for SEND funding at the next Spending Review.

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