Rutland has been criticised for a lack of special needs provision.

Its county council has featured in a 'hall of shame' produced by a not-for-profit known as Special Needs Junction.

Last month, the group commented on the government's update of the number of children with Education, Health and Care Plans (ECHPs).

The government has reported growing numbers of children with or needing such plans, with Special Needs Jungle saying "capacity in state-funded special schools and alternative provision is full to bursting."

Furthermore, the not-for-profit said, "many local authorities are taking deliberate steps to throttle specialist sector placements, so that they can bring their ravaged SEND finances into order. "

Nationally, the group says 15,000 children are going without the education they're entitled to.

A report continued: "Over 5,600 children and young people with EHCPs were listed as "awaiting provision" in January 2021 – more than ever before. The vast majority of these 5,600 reportedly weren't in education. And there's a very good chance that this number is the tip of the iceberg.

"Whilst it's likely that the pandemic has played a part here, there were still over 11,000 young people in this category in the months prior to lockdown. It's inexcusable."

Special Needs Jungle has produced what it calls a 'hall of shame' listing councils it says are mostly likely to refuse an EHCP being made. Rutland is featured at fifth in a list, suggesting one-in-six requests will be refused.

Rutland Council told Nub News: "An education, health and care (EHC) plan is for children and young people aged up to 25 who need more support than is available through special educational needs support.

"As of December 2020, there were a total of 259 children and young people in Rutland with EHC plans. In 2020, Rutland County Council assessed 58 children and young people for an EHC plan, which resulted in 44 children and young people being issued an EHC plan.

"EHC plans are the not the only means of providing support for children and young people with special educational needs. Although the council refused EHC plans for 13 children and young people in 2020, this was because other, more appropriate forms of help and support were available."