FOI Request - Specialist Placements and Out of Authority Costs

Request 101003854516

Please provide the following for academic years 2015/16 to 2024/25 (year-to-date) for pupils placed in specialist provision outwith their catchment or outwith the authority (including independent special schools and grant-aided schools):

1. Placements and movement (annual):
a) Number of new specialist placements started.
b) Number of placements ended.
c) Number of pupils in specialist placements at year-end.

2. Costs (annual):
a) Total gross education costs for specialist placements (tuition/fees).
b) Where held, associated transport costs for these placements.
c) Where feasible, a split between placements within other Scottish LAs, independent special schools, and grant-aided schools.

3. Reasons/categories (service-level, annual):
Service-level counts by high-level reason category used locally (e.g., ASD/communication; complex needs; SEBN; sensory impairment; other), in aggregate only.

4. Policy/procurement and guidance:
Current policy/guidance on decision-making for out-of-authority placements, and any frameworks/contract arrangements used.