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SETTINGS STRUGGLING WITH COST OF SEN RESOURCES, SAYS NEW RESEARCH

Early Years provider‘s budgets are being severely stretched by the cost of special needs resources, according to a survey of more than 500 settings.  

The findings are revealed in new research on special needs in Early Years education, carried out by leading education supplier The Consortium.

The survey found examples of settings having to carry out extra fundraising activities, and having to secure funding from local businesses, in order to buy the SEN equipment they need. 

The study also found a general level of satisfaction among Early Years providers with the amount of support they receive to help them meet their training needs.

The manager of one setting commented: “Some resources have to be physically made to meet individual needs and cannot be shop bought. These resources always seem to cost a lot more than others.”  

Another added: “Although we feel well equipped to provide an inclusive environment, SEN equipment can be very expensive on a small budget and that can be an obstacle.”

Almost half of the settings taking part in the research have between 30 and 60 children in their care, and a quarter catered for 60-100. A fifth involved fewer than 30 children and at the other end of the scale, 8 per cent of settings cater for more than 100. 

Approaching 20 per cent of settings said that at least 10 per cent of their children had some kind of special needs, the most common problem being speech, language or communication difficulties, followed by behavioural, emotional or social problems.

The vast majority (84 per cent) felt their setting received sufficient support with SEN training while 15 per cent took the opposite view. Some concern was expressed about the inability to provide activities to help specific needs, including autism, delayed speech and language.  

There was also a complaint that, in one instance, parents would not allow agencies into the setting to support staff. Local authorities were also criticised for occasionally failing to support the private sector with additional help for equipment such as computers.

When it came to the resources required to provide an inclusive environment, almost 90 per cent said these were sufficient. Meanwhile almost half (47 per cent) quoted catalogues as their primary source and a fifth mentioned the internet. Retail was at the bottom of the options being used to buy resources. 

Brian Potter, Marketing and Sales Director of The Consortium, said the survey showed a high level of general satisfaction, particularly when it came to training, but that it also highlighted an issue of major concern for many settings.

“It would appear that the cost of catering for some specific special needs is a serious problem for some settings,” he commented. 

“Against the background of the ‘unique child‘ agenda and the Early Years Foundation Stage, we must ensure that this does not deprive children with special needs of the support they need at such a crucial stage in their development.” 

ENDS             13th October 2008

For further information please contact Neil Fraser, Sturgess Van Damme, on 01275 349011 or email neil@sturgessvandamme.co.uk