Councils are potentially facing substantial additional expenses for special educational needs and disabilities provision by 2029 if immediate reforms are not implemented, according to a prominent think tank.
The Institute for Fiscal Studies (IFS) has drawn attention to a significant increase in high needs spending, which has surged by 66% in schools since 2016. Notably, data reveals that 5.2% of pupils under 16 in England have an Education, Health and Care Plan (EHCP), providing them with legal entitlement to support tailored to children with special educational needs and disabilities (SEND).
Furthermore, the percentage of children receiving child disability living allowance (CDLA) has risen to 7.2%, up from 3.4% a decade ago. Current spending on EHCPs and CDLA stands at £16 billion and is projected to reach £21 billion by 2029, more than double the expenditure in 2016. High needs spending in schools is also anticipated to escalate by an additional £3 billion by 2029.
In response to these challenges, Education Secretary Bridget Phillipson is devising plans to revamp the strained SEND system through a white paper set to be released this autumn. Concerns have been raised by parents regarding potential alterations to EHCPs, which guarantee tailored support to children in need.
While the proportion of children with ECHPs has increased from 3% in 2018 to 5%, local councils are struggling financially to meet these demands. Darcey Snape, a research economist at IFS, emphasized the need for government action, indicating that a White Paper is expected to propose reforms to Education, Health and Care Plans. Snape also highlighted the unchanged status of the child disability living allowance over the past 30 years, suggesting a review may be necessary.
Various stakeholders in the education sector have voiced their concerns about the current state of the SEND system. Paul Whiteman, general secretary at the school leaders’ union NAHT, emphasized the necessity of reform, advocating for increased government investment in early identification and support for children with needs. Pepe Di’Iasio, General Secretary of the Association of School and College Leaders, expressed dismay over the system’s inadequacies despite increased spending, citing delays in assessments and insufficient resources in schools. Cllr Amanda Hopgood, chair of the Local Government Association’s Children, Young People and Families Committee, echoed the sentiment for reform, calling for collaborative efforts between the government and councils to address the challenges faced by children and families needing support.
The urgency in addressing the issues within the SEND system is clear, with various stakeholders advocating for reforms to ensure adequate support for children with special educational needs and disabilities.
