SEND Challenges Flashcards
What is the financial risk faced by nearly 20 councils in England?
They are at risk of insolvency due to multibillion-pound debts from overspends on special educational needs support.
What is the forecasted growth in overspending on special educational needs and disability (Send) services in England over the next year?
Nearly £2bn.
What will the total Send deficits be in 12 months, according to forecasts?
£5.2bn.
How many councils have explicitly warned that their debts put them at risk of insolvency?
At least 18 councils.
What is the potential consequence of mass defaults on Send deficits?
It would cause chaos and damage other local services.
What triggered the ballooning of the Send deficit under the last government?
Rapid increases in the cost of meeting education and health care plans (EHCPs).
How many EHCPs were in place in England in 2015? And by 2024?
Meaning?
240,000
to
576,000.
Doubling in 10 years
What has driven overspends in special educational needs support?
Insufficient capacity in state schools and high costs of Send placements in private specialist schools.
What is the average forecast accumulated deficit across the councils covered by the analysis by the end of March 2026?
£40m.
What percentage of English upper-tier councils are projected to have an accumulated deficit on their high needs budgets by the end of next March?
Nearly 90%.
