Plans for £1m savings with new deal for centre

Dudley Council aims to save around £1m per year with a new deal at a centre dedicated to special needs children.

The authority’s cabinet member for development and regulation, Cllr Daniel Bevan, signed a draft decision to extend a lease on the Unicorn Centre which was declared surplus and earmarked for disposal by the council in 2025.

The building was valued for sale at around £600,000 but instead was leased to The Briar Special School for around £48,000 per year.

The initial deal was for two years but after the school became part of the Ascent Multi Academy Trust, a new 25 year lease was required.

The centre will create up to 40 places for high needs children which would cost the council at least £27,000 per pupil per year if the authority had to fund their places in the private sector.

The council expects to make savings on transport costs with youngsters placed more locally than would otherwise be the case if the Unicorn Centre was not available.

Notes accompanying the 2025 decision to lease the centre to the school for two years said: “The Unicorn Centre is well-equipped currently, having been used by adult social care and retaining the hoists and other equipment that will be usable by the school.  

“The proposal is well-aligned with council strategies to support children and young people with SEND. 

“There is an initial cohort of 11 pupils who would achieve annual savings in the region of £645k if placed at Brier/Unicorn compared to the independent special school sector, and a tranche of around 20 further pupils where Wenlock, an independent school with average charges of £70,000, is at present the only realistic option.”

Speaking in November 2025 when the council launched a consultation on the future of the centre,  Cllr Wayne Little, cabinet member for children and young people, said: “We are currently in a position as a council where we don’t have enough capacity to meet the demand with regards to helping children with special educational needs. 

“As a result, the council has to fund expensive places in independent schools, often outside the borough, as well as covering the travel costs. 

“This satellite site has already been running successfully as a trial for the past few months with a reduced capacity, providing real benefits for children and parents.”