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Councils could be faced with a bill of between £38 and £121 million per year to include children with special educational needs in mainstream schools, according to an Audit Scotland report, writes Clare Jerrom.

Section 15 of the Standards in Scotland’s Schools etc Act 2000 means that, where possible, children with SEN should be educated in mainstream schools. This would require councils investing in schools to make them accessible, employing extra staff, training staff, and providing NHS therapy services.

However, when Section 15 was inserted into the bill by amendment at Stage 2, the financial memorandum which accompanied the bill was not updated, the report said.

“Parliament must have a robust analysis of the potential financial consequences when they are considering bills and amendments,” the report says.

Last week, the outgoing president of the Educational Institute of Scotland, Alana Ross, warned that some parents were being forced to place children with SEN in mainstream schools against their wishes.

However, the Scottish executive announced last month that the forthcoming Education (Additional Support for Learning) (Scotland) Bill would strengthen rights for parents and pupils and, in theory, entitle parents of children with additional support needs to request a place for their child in a special school.

Summary of report available here