Councils are facing significant additional costs in the realm of special educational needs and disabilities provision, as a leading think-tank has cautioned that without prompt reforms, the expenses could escalate to billions by 2029.
According to the Institute for Fiscal Studies (IFS), there has been a notable surge of 66% in high needs spending in schools since 2016, signaling an urgent need for attention to this area.
Recent data highlighted by the IFS reveals that 5.2% of pupils under 16 in England possess an Education, Health and Care Plan (EHCP), which guarantees them the highest level of support for children with special educational needs and disabilities (SEND).
Moreover, the proportion of children receiving child disability living allowance (CDLA) has risen to 7.2% from 3.4% a decade ago. The combined spending on EHCPs and CDLA has now reached £16 billion and is projected to soar to £21 billion by 2029, more than doubling the real-terms expenditure in 2016. It is anticipated that high needs spending in schools will also climb by an additional £3 billion by 2029.
In response to these escalating costs, Education Secretary Bridget Phillipson is formulating plans for a comprehensive overhaul of the struggling SEND system in a forthcoming white paper this autumn. Parents are expressing concerns about potential modifications to EHCPs, which serve as a critical lifeline for children in need of tailored support.
The proliferation of children with EHCPs has increased from 3% in 2018 to 5%, yet local councils are grappling with financial constraints to meet these demands.
Darcey Snape, a research economist at IFS, emphasized the importance of reviewing the existing system, especially considering the stagnation of child disability living allowance for over three decades.
Leaders in the education sector, including Paul Whiteman from the NAHT and Pepe Di’Iasio from the Association of School and College Leaders, have echoed the urgent need for reform to address the inadequacies in the current system. Cllr Amanda Hopgood of the Local Government Association emphasized the imperative of government collaboration with councils to address the shortcomings and ensure the voices of children and families are heard and addressed.
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