information for practice

Over 11,000 pupils with a statement of special educational needs (SEN) are placed in out of authority special schools. These are most often children with severe behavioural, emotional and social difficulties (BESD) and autistic spectrum disorders (ASD). Many of these children have complex SEN that are not currently met by their local schools. Expenditure on these placements is high and has increased steeply in recent years, however the rate of increase has decreased since 2003/04. While the interests of the child must be the primary focus of a decision about placement, achieving value for money is also an important consideration.