Parents and carers eye judicial review of changes to SEN funding by Hackney

A group of parents and carers of children with special educational needs and disabilities in Hackney are crowd funding a potential legal challenge to the London borough’s plans to make changes to SEND funding.

The group, Hackney Special Education Crisis, has raised £3,700 of its £4,000 stretch target on Crowd Justice.

It initially sought to raise £2,000 for the fee for initial legal advice before applying for permission for a judicial review challenge. The group is being advised by law firm Irwin Mitchell. The additional £2,000 is to cover advice from counsel.

Hackney Special Education Crisis claimed that Hackney Council would be making cuts of 5% to high needs funding, but there were “much bigger cuts to come”.

The group added: “They are planning to make "savings" of around £5m through further cuts to SEND funding in mainstream schools and special schools. Transport and pupil referral units are also on the hit list.”