[senco-forum] Funding

Hi Janice
  As far as I understand it, the school needs to make 'reasonable adjustments' for pupils with disabilities.  This might mean paying out a small amount but large projects (such as providing ramps) should be funded centrally.  We have had huge amounts spent on putting ramps into our school in the last fifteen years, all funded by the LA.  We started with having ramps put in ourside because they can't be inside due to the layout.  When the legislation came in which said that pupils should not be put at a disadvantage because of their disability, we had an inspection which resulted in more work being done so pupils no longer had to go 'the long way round'.  Only a couple of places are not accessible, both because alterations are prohibitively expensive.
  So, I'd say you are right - school should not have to fund building alterations.

  Amanda
  Secondary SENCO
  Cornwall
Janrolnick at aol.com wrote:
  We have a child at our school who is having an operation on his legs for 
clubfoot. He will be in a wheelchair for about a month then on crutches for a 
month or so. We can manage the wheelchair by taking him round the outside of the 
building as we have several small flights of stairs and no ramp. 

However in the long term this is far from satisfactory and we could get a 
child in a wheelchair permanently. My understanding is that we are expected to 
find the money for alterations to the school - I don't know how. Does anyone 
have any experience of this? Are there any funds which can be accessed?

Any ideas gratefully accepted.

Janice Rolnick

Amanda
Secondary SENCO
Cornwall