Nursery World - Councils on 'financial cliff edge' due to rising numbers of children needing SEN support

England's largest councils are calling for more funding in the Government's Spending Review to address a projected £1.3bn special educational needs (SEN) deficit in 2022/23.

Councils say they face a £1.3bn special educational needs deficit in two years' time

The local authorities have warned they are on a 'financial cliff edge' due to an eight-fold increase in the special educational needs deficit.

According to the councils, this is due to a ‘dramatic rise’ in children and young people being eligible for Education, Care and Health Plans (EHCPs).

A survey by the County Councils Network (CNN) and the Society of County Treasurers shows that the combined deficit for 40 local authorities has gone up from £134m in 2018/19 to a projected £1.3bn in 2022/23.

While the Government has said these deficits do not need to be addressed until 2023, allowing councils to carry over their school budget deficits until April that year, CNN says this is ‘little more than a sticking plaster’.

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