EB / News / SEND / Fears for children as councils face further SEND cuts
Fears for children as councils face further SEND cuts
EB News: 18/06/2024 - 11:40
Local authorities are facing a shortfall of almost £1 billion in special educational needs and disabilities (SEND) budgets this year, the BBC has found.
The BBC contacted 153 councils to request their financial forecasts for this year.
The 113 councils that responded forecast a collective shortfall of £926 million in special needs budgets.
According to the County Council Network, since 2019 the accumulated deficit in England for SEND has reached £3.2 billion.
The National Association of Headteachers (NAHT) has called for any new government to write off the accumulated deficits in council budgets.
Schools in England could face an annual shortfall of £310 million in covering the cost of free school meals unless urgent action is taken, according to a new report led by Northumbria University.
Spending on educational support for children with high needs has risen sharply in recent years, creating unsustainable financial pressure on both local authorities and central government, new analysis warns.
The Always Active Uniform is a flexible, comfortable school uniform including active footwear, designed to support spontaneous movement and daily activity throughout the school day.
The Welsh Government has agreed to continue a licensing deal which will give all learners at Welsh state schools free access to Microsoft 365 at school and at home.
Schools will play a greater role in ensuring every pupil has a clear post-16 destination, with a new approach to a guaranteed college or FE provider place available as a safety net being tested.