The new county council leader has called for more government support but promised the new administration at Shire Hall is committed to improving services for children with Special Educational Needs and Disabilities (SEND).

Warwickshire County Council leader, Cllr George Finch of Reform UK, took to Shire Hall today (29 August) to discuss some of his party's key priorities for the district. 

Cllr Finch, alongside his deputy leader, Cllr Stephen Shaw, discussed several issues, including the need to prioritise SEND at both local and national levels.

Cllr Finch said: "We are committed to reducing the time it takes to complete educational healthcare plan assessments (EHCPs), but we are facing substantial rises in demand, and we have to be transparent and honest. 

"Councils cannot cope with the amount of pressure and the amount of services we require and give to the children."

The young leader went on to state the problem lies with the national government, which he said is "not helping county councils." 

He added: "We predict that in a good few years, we as county councils and councils across the country will be banging at the door of national government asking for more.

"We will not be in a financial position to sustain ourselves. 

"That's the problem.

"The national government and Keir Starmer need to step up and hear our cries. We cannot keep doing it as a council, and no council can." 

Proposing a solution, Cllr Finch stated the need for quicker processing of EHCPs and preparing schools with better equipment to deal with SEND. 

Having a sister with SEND needs himself, Cllr Finch said, he understands the difficulty of the situation and recognises the need for a national strategy to ensure schools are properly resourced with government backing. 

"I understand what it's on a day-to-day basis, I understand waiting in A&E for hours, I get it."

He concluded that the current council cannot reach these targets alone and needs the support of the national government. 

"It's about actually making children's lives better. Giving them a Warwickshire, that they can grow up in and where they can say that the council did well." 

With a personal connection to SEND, Cllr Finch concluded that providing more efficient services for SEND children is one of his "biggest issues" he hopes to tackle.