SEND spending, what will the NAO report say?

A magnifying glass resting on some visualisations of data.

The National Audit Office (NAO) is set to release a report next week on the cost and performance of England’s special educational needs and disabilities (SEND) system. The publication comes just before the upcoming budget and spending review.

In an article published by SchoolsWeek, Samantha Booth outlined four key concerns facing the new Labour government:

  1. Looming £2.5 billion deficit by 2026: Councils are forecasting a £2.5 billion deficit on their dedicated schools grant for 2024-25, up from £1.4 billion in 2023-24. Without continued statutory protection, many councils could face insolvency.
  2. Record funding, but stagnant outcomes: Despite a 65% increase in the high-needs budget to £10.3 billion, there is little improvement in outcomes for SEND pupils, with performance gaps remaining significant.
  3. Escalating costs of private SEND schooling: Spending on private special schools is expected to reach £1.7 billion in 2024-25, a 206% increase from 2015-16, with costs significantly higher than state provision.
  4. Limited success with £1.2 billion bailouts: Thirty-eight councils have entered “safety-valve” agreements for financial support, but only one has successfully eliminated its deficit, and several have had their bailouts suspended for not meeting targets.

It remains to be seen what the report will say, and what the new government will do about its findings.

Want to see how DCPro Alternative Provision Attendance software can help you reduce spending, save time and record attendance for your alternative provision cohort? Find out more by clicking here.

Sources:
SEND spend spotlight: the data keeping Labour up at night

Need a better way to record alternative provision attendance?

Are you tired of chasing attendance data through endless calls and emails? Imagine having complete oversight of your entire alternative provision cohort at your fingertips. You can.

Recommended Reading

SEND numbers have risen, DfE to investigate

SEND numbers have risen, DfE to investigate

The Department for Education (DfE) has announced plans to investigate the sharp increase in the number of children requiring special educational needs and disabilities (SEND) support in England. This move follows criticism from the Public Accounts Committee, which highlighted the government’s inadequate data and lack of a clear, costed reform plan.

read more
Record Number of Children Missing School in England

Record Number of Children Missing School in England

This summary is based on an insightful article by Kit Heren for LBC A record number of children in England are now regularly missing school, according to new figures from the Department for Education (DfE). The latest data shows that nearly one in four pupils in state...

read more