Dear Chancellor
On 11 January this year, the House of Commons heard in detail about the crisis in provision of support for those with Special Educational Needs and Disabilities (SEND).
The debate was remarkably well attended, with 30 MPs contributing from across the House.Members shared their constituents' experiences of a system in crisis, and in some cases related their own personal family stories. Many of these cases made for truly heart-breaking listening.
The House resolved that SEND provision should be reviewed.
At present, the cumulative deficit in local authority high needs budgets is estimated to be €2.3 billion, and is expected to reach £3.6 billion by March 2025.
The f40 group, representing some of the worst-funded local education authorities in England, is calling for £4.6 billion in additional annual funding - the minimum necessary merely to stop the crisis spiralling further out of control.
Whilst we recognise that High Needs Funding has increased substantially since 2019, there is ample evidence that what is currently being provided is failing to meet the level of need.
This has been compounded by parallel challenges in children's social care and school transport budgets which increase the pressure on councils and children and families with SEND.
Furthermore, in order to prevent a repeat of the crisis in a few years' time and to meet the aspiration of the command paper, 'Right support, Right place, Right time', there must also be a significant increase in capital funding, over and above what has already been promised.
This will allow local authorities to invest in the infrastructure and workforce that children with SEND rely on.
The level of need has increased dramatically in recent years. The total number of Education, Health and Care Plans (EHCPs) and statements of special educational need has more than doubled since 2015. But Government support has not kept pace.
For example, successive spending settlements have provided funding for teachers' pay increases but not for teaching assistants and non-teaching staff - both are roles that play a vital part in supporting inclusion for children with SEND. This is leading to unsustainable pressure on staffing budgets.
In addition, the funding allocations for SEND provision are unfairly skewed, and do not reflect the relative needs of each area. A reassessment of these allocations is long overdue and, as the f40 group has long argued, a fair funding system should be about meeting the needs of pupils according to their characteristics, not where they happen to be in the country.
We would be grateful if you would consider this matter as you draw together your plans for the Budget, increase the funding for SEND education, and ensure SEND pupils are properly supported.
