On Tuesday, 14th January 2025, the Newham Parent Carer Forum (NPCF) hosted a hybrid Coffee Morning, welcoming parents and carers both in person at St Marks Community Centre and online via Zoom. The session focused on school funding for SEND children, covering financial support from Early Years to Post-16 education.

The session was chaired by Yamou, with Adeola managing housekeeping, and Rosie and Vaishali taking minutes. Guest speakers included Ian McFee (SEND Placements and Business Operations – Service Manager) and Lesley Hare (Principal SEND Officer), who provided insights into how SEND funding is allocated and managed.

Key Discussion Points

Parents and carers raised questions and concerns about how schools access and utilise SEND funding, including the £6,000 additional support available for children with special educational needs. The discussion also covered EHCP (Education, Health, and Care Plan) budget allocation, monitoring of school spending, and post-16 education funding.

The guest speakers provided clarity on how funding is distributed, reviewed, and adjusted to meet the needs of children. They also explained the Local Authority’s role in overseeing school spending and ensuring that resources are used effectively to support SEND students.

Additionally, the session was meant to include a discussion on the London Fire Brigade Autism Initiative, but this was postponed and will be rescheduled for a later date.

Looking Ahead

This Coffee Morning provided valuable insights into the funding available for SEND children and how parents can ensure their child receives the right level of support. NPCF will continue to work with parents and local authorities to monitor school funding practices and advocate for improvements where needed.

A big thank you to everyone who attended and contributed to the discussion. If you missed the session or would like to review the details, you can read the full meeting minutes below.

📌 To read the full meeting minutes, please click on this link:
https://docs.google.com/document/d/1v5g_VUMuoztvfgJkYqboL9LNFb7Pt5fZ/edit?usp=sharing&ouid=114344325403627459623&rtpof=true&sd=true

For updates on future events or to get involved, visit www.newhamparentforum.co.uk or email info@newhamparentforum.co.uk.