Local funding for visually impaired children increases as report shows half of NW councils have cut or frozen such services

Half of local authorities in the North West region have cut or frozen funding for specialist education services over the last two years (stock image)

Rochdale Borough Council is bucking a trend after research shows thousands of children and young people with vision impairment in the North West are being failed by underfunded local authorities.

The Left out of Learning report, published by the Royal National Institute of Blind People, reveals half (50 per cent) of local authorities in the North West region have cut or frozen funding for specialist education services over the last two years, and a third (36 per cent) have not kept budgets in line with inflation.

Nearly half (44 per cent) of councils have also made a reduction in support staff from 2017 to 2019.

Whilst below inflation, Rochdale Borough Council's budget has increased by 2.79% – and no staff have been lost.

Councillor Kieran Heakin, cabinet member for children’s services, said: “We currently support 121 children and young people who have visual impairment through our specialist team and our wider additional needs team.

“I’m proud to say that despite significant budget pressures on high needs, we have not reduced the budget or staffing for this service for four years; this shows our commitment to this specialist service.

“We are seeing that the number we support is rising year on year so increased funding from government does need to be addressed.”

Andrea Glover, Network Manager for RNIB in the North West, said: “With more than £14 billion being promised for primary and secondary education between now and 2023, we are urging the government to act now and correct this funding gap to ensure every child with vision impairment is able to fulfil their potential.”