NAHT poll on SEND funding – LGA response

Responding to a survey by the NAHT on support and funding for children with special educational needs, Cllr Louise Gittins, Chair of the Local Government Association's Children and Young People Board, said:

“Councils' high needs deficits currently stands at an estimated £1.9 billion, rising to £3.6 billion by 2025 with no intervention. We urge the Government to write off these deficits.

“Improving levels of mainstream inclusion, will reduce the reliance on costly special schools and other settings. Councils should also be given additional powers to lead local SEND systems effectively, ensuring councils, education settings and health partners are accountable to each other, not Whitehall.”