An National Education Union analysis found spending was not keeping pace with increasing demand in nearly 93% of England’s local councils. Between 2015 and 2018 the number of special need plans grew by 33% whilst funding rose 6%.
The government said another £100 million is needed in special need places. Two-thirds of England’s local councils are spending less per pupil with complex needs than they were three years ago.
Since 2014, councils have had to take on support for young people up to the age of 25 who are on special need care plans but councils say this change was not funded properly.
Joint general secretary of the NEU Kevin Courtney said: “This is an appalling way to be addressing the education of some of our most vulnerable children and young people and is causing untold misery and worry to thousands of families.”
Angela Rayner, the shadow education secretary, said: “Education is a right, not a privilege, and these cuts mean that in one of the richest countries in the world children with special educational needs are not receiving the support they need.”
Families have suffered with increasing waiting times for Special Educational Needs Disabilities (SEND) assessments and cuts to specialist provision and support staff. Between 2010 and 2020 councils will have lost almost 60p out of every £1 the government once provided for SEND services.
In 2018 there were 2,060 children who have education, health and care plans (EHCs) setting out their needs but who receive no support. Overall, in 2018 there were 1.3 million pupils who had special educational needs and disability in England.
Ms Spielman, England’s chief inspector of schools said: “One child with Send [special educational needs and disability] not receiving the help they need is disturbing enough, but thousands is a national scandal,”
