SIR - I am writing to express my concern over the proposal to cut funding to the Craven Pupil Referral Service (PRS) by 50 per cent (Craven Herald, November 8). Such devastating cuts by North Yorkshire County Council (NYCC), would in my view lead to a dilution in the quality and quantity of provision for such vulnerable children.
I write as a mother of two children, now adults, who had Special Educational Needs, and a former governor of a Special School. If the provision for these children in the Craven area is threatened I fear it will lead to an increase by schools in informal (illegal) exclusions, e.g. “bring your child in just two mornings a week” “We can’t provide for him at lunch-time, you’ll have to take him home” etc
Julian Smith MP has told the school "I will do everything I can to help”. NYCC has seen a drastic cut in its Central Government grant, as part of austerity measures, that Julian Smith MP has consistently voted for in Parliament
Cuts have consequences and sadly it is the most vulnerable who bear the brunt, children the disabled and the elderly (social care).
Let us hope that NYCC Education Committee visit the PRS to see first-hand its vital and invaluable work and drop the proposal to cut funding
Diane Dillon
Hammerton Drive
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