A DECISION to pull out of a Gwent-wide children’s special needs service without consulting parents or other local authorities has been branded ‘unacceptable’ by an AM.

Earlier this month the Argus revealed the council had decided to stop paying into the Sensory and Communication Support Service (SenCom) which supports children aged 0-19 with hearing, language and visual needs.

Previously, all five councils in Gwent were paying into the scheme, but now Newport is planning to set up its own bespoke service for 380 users in the city identified by the council.
Speaking in the Assembly last week Torfaen AM Lynne Neagle said she was “deeply concerned” by the news.

“Disappointingly, this decision was taken with no consultation, either with families or with partner local authorities,” she said. “I’m deeply concerned that the withdrawal will destabilise services for a very disadvantaged group of children and young people who are currently receiving a high-quality specialist service.”

READ MORE: Newport Council withdraw from Gwent-wide childrens service

The Labour AM asked: “What steps can the Welsh Government take to ensure that children and young people in Gwent are not disadvantaged by this decision?”

Replying, education secretary Kirsty Williams praised SenCom as “a very, very good example of how regional working and local authorities pooling resources to create a very specialised service to meet the needs of a specific group of children, which is perhaps difficult to do when working alone”.

She said: “Effective partnership working is a key factor in ensuring that resources are used effectively to support learners with additional learning needs, especially at a time when resources are not infinite.

“I have written to Newport City Council leader, Cllr Debbie Wilcox, to establish what arrangements are being put in place to ensure that learners, families and schools, not just in Newport, but across the region, will not be adversely affected by this decision.”
 

SenCom has previously said Newport council’s decision will mean some staff will lose their jobs. 
Speaking to the South Wales Argus, Ms Neagle said local authorities should be working together.

“This has got the potential to destabilise the service for the whole of Gwent,” said Ms Neagle.

“This is a service best delivered on a regional basis, and I think this completely goes against the messages of collaboration coming from national and local government.”

“These are difficult times for local government financially, which is another good reason to combine resources when we can.

“Nobody has spoken to the families or the other local authorities before this decision was taken, which is completely unacceptable.”

“It’s a very worrying time for those families and for SenCom staff.”

READ MORE: Council defend SenCom decision

In a statement posted on their website, Newport council said they are confident they can provide a tailor-made service for Newport while “providing the same level of service currently received in a more cost-effective manner”.
 

The council has previously said they were unable to reveal exactly how much they were expecting to save by leaving the service until the draft budget was released on December 5.

Parents with any queries about the changes can contact the council’s education service via inclusionadmin.support@newport.gov.uk