BCP Alliance for Children & Schools ‘Safety Valve’ Protest
An alliance of parents, teachers and professionals will be protesting against BCP’s Safety Valve proposal at BCP Civic Centre Annexe, Bournemouth on January 23rd 2024 at 5pm.
Parents, teachers and other professionals are joining together to protest BCP’s entrance into the Department for Education’s (DfE) controversial Safety Valve programme.
The programme offers funding if local authorities agree to significantly reduce spending on Special Educational Needs and Disabilities (SEND).
The details released include an unlawful five-year scenario, which would require provisions to be slashed, and mainstream school funding to be cut by
11%. BCP states a five-year plan would be unlawful, so have submitted a 15-year plan, but it is unlikely the DfE will accept this.
“This programme is potentially devastating for every child and school in BCP. It’s crucial that our children, parents and schools be heard before they sign a binding financial agreement that could damage our children long term, and make the financial situation far worse” – Rachel Filmer, BCP Alliance for Children & Schools
What this means for disabled children:
BCP are already failing children with SEND. Limiting the number of statutory Education Health and Care Plans (EHCPs) issued, and placing more disabled children in mainstream without adequate support or funding will leave BCP open to a vast number of costly legal challenges.
What this means for schools:
Reduced funding will have a generational effect on all children across BCP, placing extra burden on schools and teaching professionals. Schools cannot afford this. Schools are being asked to do more with less money.
“The NEU will seek to defend school funding. Educators are already stressed and stretched due to inadequate funding. Further reductions will lead to greater pressures and less support for our children and young people.” – Lisa Weir, BCP District & Branch Secretary, National Education Union
What BCP Alliance for Children & Schools are asking for:
- BCP must carry out equality impact assessments, before making any decision.
- A full public consultation and inclusion of SEND parents, teachers and professionals.
- BCP must ensure that this plan receives sufficient scrutiny and a full council vote. The BCP safety valve petition asking for this already has over 2000 signatures.
- BCP to guarantee they will act within the legislative framework of the Children & Families Act 2014.
- BCP to recognise their statutory responsibilities under SEND Code of Practice and guarantee they are met and delivered.
Protest Details
Date and time: 23rd January, 5pm
Meeting Place: Outside BCP Civic Centre Annexe, St Stephen’s Rd, Bournemouth BH2 6LL
Facebook: BCP Alliance for Children & Schools
