£500m ‘funding gap’ in special needs education budgets

SUPPORT FOR children with special educational needs and disabilities is facing a potential funding gap of more than £500m, the Local Government Association estimates.

The services in England face a projected shortfall of £536m – more than double the gap they faced the previous year, according to interim findings of new LGA research.

Based on a survey of 73 councils – half of local authorities with special educational needs and disabilities (SEND) duties – there is a total deficit of £280m by the end of 2018/19.

Unveiling the research at the National Children and Adult Services Conference in Manchester today, the LGA said that scaled up this could mean a national deficit of £536m.

It is claiming that children with SEND could miss out on mainstream education if there is no urgent Government action to provide investment in the Local Government Finance Settlement next month.

The LGA argues the deficit puts at risk the ability of councils to fulfil their statutory duties.

In response, Children and Families Minister Nadhim Zahawi said: “Local authorities and schools have statutory duties to support children and young people with SEND.

“In 2018-19 councils will receive £6bn of funding for young people with more complex SEND – an increase from £5bn in 2013.”