A cash-strapped council has been criticised for plans to “turn the tap off” education, health and care plan referrals for vulnerable youngsters.
Norfolk County Council is one of 34 local authorities with “safety valve” agreements, in which the government plugs high-needs deficits in exchange for sweeping reforms that save money.
In an update on its progress, the Conservative-led council said mainstream schools had “not yet experienced the full benefits” of its plans.
In a report presented at a schools forum last week, it added: “However, in addition to our initial plans to ‘turn the tap off’ for EHCP referrals we are currently planning a further workstream within the programme to establish a new ‘front door’ for EHCP to ensure that we can fast-track the benefits of [the programme] to schools and families.”
