The number of children with special educational needs in Bexley is growing year on year however the council has admitted it faces "funding constraints".

Bexley Council needs to find an extra £1million a year for SEN budgets to keep up with the growth of children who need extra support.

According to the stats given by the council, the number of children needing SEN is increasing at around three per cent a year.

Councillor Mabel Ogundayo, Labour, asked the councillor for education to confirm the expenditure growth for the next five years.

Councillor John Fuller said that without action the expenditure growth would be around £1million a year for the SEN budget.

He said: “However, given funding constraints, the council is working closely with school leaders to ensure that we make the best possible use of available funding through developing local provision and reducing reliance on more expensive out of borough and independent sector placements.

“These measures will help to contain future cost pressures while ensuring the children's and young people's needs are met locally wherever possible.”

Cllr Ogundayo said that the council needs to commit to increasing the budget for SEN children in the borough.

She told News Shopper: “The council has been too slow to respond to this.

"We are concerned of a growing trend among some local academies chains, to refuse to accept children with Education Health Care Plans and the implications this is having on those budgets maintained both by the council and schools still under the oversight of the local authority.

“Special education needs funding is no longer ring fenced and without extra funding from the government or the council committing to increasing budgets to match demand, options and the level of support available will inevitably be reduced.”

Bexley SNAP, a charity that offers services for disabled children in the borough, said they appreciate the budget is limited but they are struggling to provide services.

A spokeswoman said: "The need for services within the borough is greater than ever and demand does stretch the specialist resources that are available.

"Our criteria has tightened to meet the needs of those with severe and complex needs as it is viewed that those families require most support.

"However, in the current funding climate, we struggle to provide services for those with moderate needs who have limited clubs and schemes to attend and whose needs are not met by the local authority."