News

SEND funding shortfall of £185m in London, claim councils

Policy & Politics
A funding shortfall of £185 million for children’s SEND and social care in the capital is putting crucial services at risk, London Councils warns.

A new report commissioned by the umbrella group looks at provision for children with special educational needs and disabilities and children’s services and the financial pressures they face.

It claims there has been a dramatic increase in demand for SEND support due to the rise in the number of children and young people with Education Health and Care Plans (31 per cent from 2014/15 to 2017/18.)

While budgets have increased, spending has increased faster leaving London boroughs with shortfall in 2017/18 of £77m.

In children’s social care, the overspend stands at 9 per cent in 2017/18, or £108 million.

Increased complexity of children’s needs and use of specialist care placements are cited as factors explaining the rapidly rising costs.   

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