“Rising high needs deficits are pushing councils to the brink, and these findings reinforce the urgent need for reform of the SEND system, which is failing too many children and families.
Commenting on research by the County Councils Network warning councils face deficits relating to SEND provision of £18 billion by the end of this Parliament, Cllr Amanda Hopgood, Chair of the Local Government Association’s Children, Young People and Families Committee, said:
“Rising high needs deficits are pushing councils to the brink, and these findings reinforce the urgent need for reform of the SEND system, which is failing too many children and families.
“Dedicated Schools Grant deficits are posing an existential threat to many councils. This is why government should act in this month’s Budget and write off councils’ high needs deficits.”