Special Needs Spending to Continue Rising for a Decade Despite Reforms
Ministers have disclosed that spending on special educational needs and disabilities (SEND) will continue to escalate over the next decade, even as new reforms are introduced to bring costs under control. The long-awaited schools white paper from the Labour government, published today, outlines that expenditure will keep increasing in the coming years and is not projected to return to current levels until 2035.
Background to the SEND Crisis
The reforms to the SEND system come in response to a severe financial strain on local councils, which have been pushed to the brink of bankruptcy due to a surge in cases of conditions such as ADHD and autism. Since 2014, the number of children receiving Education, Health and Care Plans (EHCPs)—which grant a legal right to specialist care—has doubled. Experts attribute this rise to increased awareness of less profound cases, though some argue there has been an overdiagnosis trend.
Key Changes in the New Plans
Under the new proposals, only the most severely affected pupils, such as those with blindness, will be entitled to an EHCP. All other students will receive support at the school level, marking a significant shift in how SEND provision is managed. Education Secretary Bridget Phillipson, unveiling the plans in Peterborough, announced an additional £4 billion in funding to support this overhaul.
However, the Department for Education has acknowledged that the reforms will only make a minor impact on the number of EHCPs issued in the near future, as the changes will be phased in over several years. Once fully operational, it will become much harder to obtain an EHCP, leading to a reduction in cases. In the interim, any extra spending will be covered by cross-departmental budgets rather than school funds.
School-Level Responsibilities and Support
Schools will be legally required to develop an 'inclusion plan' detailing their efforts to assist pupils with SEND. This will be monitored by Ofsted, and parents dissatisfied with provision can lodge complaints through the school's process, escalating to local authorities if necessary. Additionally, schools must create a 'universal offer' ensuring classrooms and teaching are inclusive, with teachers receiving specific training to handle SEND needs.
A tiered support system will be implemented: individual plans for those needing more help, and a further tier for students requiring external specialists, such as speech and language therapists. The tribunal system for appeals will remain in place for EHCP applications, which will be restricted to those with the most profound needs.
Legal and Practical Adjustments
The white paper also includes strengthened guidance on complying with the Equality Act for SEND pupils. Schools must make reasonable adjustments, which do not require a formal diagnosis. Examples provided include allowing students with sensory issues to enter dining halls early to avoid noise or permitting uniforms made of cotton instead of synthetic fabrics.
Implementation and Political Challenges
These reforms, subject to consultation, will be rolled out over the next five years. Despite assurances from Phillipson that support levels will increase rather than decrease, she is expected to face a backbench rebellion over the issue, highlighting the contentious nature of the changes.
