Bolton approves £85,000 special educational needs role

The role will focus on early intervention and prevention of issues before they arise in the educational process, helping to identify students who need help, and provide those students with help, faster.

The new role was unanimously approved at an Executive Cabinet Member - Children's Services meeting on Monday September 7.

The report stated: "It is widely recognised that SEND Services across the country are under considerable pressure.

"This is the result of a range of factors including an increase in the number of children and young people with SEND, an increase in the complexity of needs, an increase in the number of children and young people with an Education, Health and Care Plan, pressure in terms of specialist placements and significant financial pressures.

Plans were also approved for six to eight new SEND places at St Joseph's RC High School (Image: Google Maps)

"The Department for Education have made a wide range of proposals aimed at improving the current SEND system. These reforms focus heavily on prevention and early identification."

The report then lists the guidelines that are being introduced, including:

• Identifying needs earlier.
• Improving the universal offer for SEND.
• Development of the mainstream workforce.
• The introduction of a Targeted and Targeted Plus mainstream offer.
• The introduction of Individual Support Plans.
• The introduction of National Inclusion Standards.
• The introduction of an Experts at Hand Team to support mainstream inclusive practice.
• The development of Inclusion Bases in mainstream schools.

It is intended that the new role will help Bolton Council meet these goals, as the current SEND head is "very focussed on those with high needs/an education, health and care plan" rather than on prevention and early intervention.

Council officer Geraldine Whitehead said: "This will enable us to drive us forward on the send reforms that we have been asked to deliver as a local authority alongside every other area in the country."

Ms Whitehead then goes on the say the salary band for the post is 13 - 16, equivalent to £79,000 to £85,000 per year.

The report was unanimously approved by the councillors.