A survey by the NAHT union has revealed that funding shortages are causing a 'full-blown crisis' in special needs education in England, with school leaders struggling to provide vital support for pupils with special educational needs and disabilities (Send).
The NAHT's survey of 1,000 school leaders found that 78% had cut back on support staff such as teaching assistants within the last three years, and 84% expected to do so in the next three years. Leaders reported being forced to reduce hours or numbers of teaching assistants due to financial pressures, cutting individual support for Send pupils.
Paul Whiteman, general secretary of the NAHT, accused the government of treating schools as a 'sideline' compared to issues like immigration. He said: 'This is a full-blown crisis and bad news for children, families, schools and local authorities. Ahead of the general election, it is incumbent upon all political parties to pledge the system-wide investment needed to tackle this crisis head on.'
Some school leaders said they feared funding shortages would prevent them from keeping children and staff safe, while others could not afford speech and language therapy, mental health support, or specialist training. Ian Kendal, executive headteacher of Our Lady of Fatima trust in Essex, noted that per-pupil Send funding had been frozen at £10,000 since 2013, with its value eroded by inflation.
The number of pupils with identified Send, including those with education, health and care plans (EHCPs), has increased significantly. Education Secretary Gillian Keegan acknowledged the crisis, saying parents often have to 'fight to get the right support.' The Department for Education stated that high needs funding will increase to over £10.5bn in 2024-25, with £850m allocated for 60,000 new places in mainstream and special schools. However, Louise Gittins of the Local Government Association noted that councils' high needs deficits stand at an estimated £1.9bn, rising to £3.6bn by 2025 without intervention.
