Plans to educate children with special educational needs

Plans to educate children with special educational needs (SEN) in mainstream schools wherever possible, due to come into effect from August, were not properly costed, according to a report prepared by Audit Scotland, the watchdog responsible for ensuring that the Scottish Executive and public sector bodies in Scotland use public money efficiently and effectively. Moving to Mainstream, available on www.audit-scotland.gov.uk, estimates that the overall cost increase to local authorities could be as much as £121m per year - equivalent to an annual rise of 40 per cent in the education budget for SEN. The report was prepared in partnership with...