Cabinet member resigns amid special needs crisis

Councillor Kate Booth has resigned following a report from regulators last week showing the city has not improved in 12 out of 13 “areas of significant weakness” identified in 2018.

The Ofsted and Care Quality Commission report highlighted ongoing problems with the city’s provision for children with special educational needs and disabilities.

The Government could now step in if it is decided Birmingham City Council and Birmingham and Solihull Clinical Commissioning Group cannot sort out the situation.

Continuing problems identified include poor “lived experience” and poor academic outcomes while the number of absences and exclusions for children with special needs is “too high”.

Councillor Booth took on the role of cabinet member for children’s services in May 2018 – and has also now said she will not be standing for re-election in May 2022.

She said: “I took on the role of Birmingham’s cabinet member for children’s services in May 2018, inheriting the complex issues relating to rapidly increasing demand for services following decades of poor performance and lack of government funding for SEND services.

“Now, given the recent re-inspection findings, which I fully accept, and the timescale involved I have taken the decision to step aside to allow a new cabinet member with a fresh approach and perspective to build on the work I have started and the large scale task of creating a service that meets the needs of children, carers and families.”

“I had already shared with the leader and my local constituency MP Preet Gill that I would be retiring in 2022 and not standing for re-election to the city council in May.