Local authorities could be facing significantly higher costs for special educational needs and disabilities provision in the coming years if essential reforms are not implemented promptly, according to a prominent think-tank. The Institute for Fiscal Studies (IFS) has raised concerns about the steep escalation in high needs spending, which has surged by 66% in schools since 2016. The data indicates that 5.2% of pupils under 16 in England have an Education, Health and Care Plan (EHCP), offering them the highest level of support for children with special educational needs and disabilities. Additionally, the number of children receiving child disability living allowance (CDLA) has increased to 7.2%, up from 3.4% a decade ago.
The IFS has cautioned that the current spending on EHCPs and CDLA, amounting to £16 billion, is projected to reach £21 billion by 2029, more than double the spending in 2016. Furthermore, high needs spending in schools is predicted to rise by an additional £3 billion by 2029. Education Secretary Bridget Phillipson is working on plans to revamp the strained SEND system in a forthcoming white paper this autumn, sparking concerns among parents about potential changes to EHCPs.
The rising prevalence of children with EHCPs, now at 5%, coupled with financial constraints on councils, underscores the urgent need for comprehensive reforms. Darcey Snape, a research economist at IFS, emphasized the importance of reviewing the child disability living allowance, which has remained largely unchanged for over 30 years.
Stakeholders in the education sector, such as school leaders’ union NAHT and the Association of School and College Leaders, have echoed the call for reform, emphasizing the necessity of early intervention and increased government investment to address the inadequacies in the current system. Cllr Amanda Hopgood from the Local Government Association’s Children, Young People and Families Committee emphasized the imperative for government collaboration with councils to address the challenges faced by children and families, ensuring their voices are heard and heeded.