IFS research on 'dramatic and ongoing' SEND costs: CCN responds

Today the Institute for Fiscal Studies (IFS) has released a new piece of research, warning that a doubling in the share of children receiving special educational needs and disabilities (SEND) support has driven a 'dramatic and ongoing' increase in spending.

The research, which can be read here, echoes the County Councils Network's concerns over costs and outcomes.

It finds that one-in-twenty (5.2%) pupils aged under 16 in England have an Education, Health and Care Plan (EHCP), the highest level of support for children with SEND. This share has almost doubled (from 2.7%) over the last decade.

Below, the CCN responds to the IFS research.

Cllr Bill Revans, SEND Spokesperson for the County Councils Network, said:

“The County Councils Network has long warned that the growing trend of local authorities spending more and more each year on special educational needs and disabilities (SEND) services is simply unsustainable and will threaten the financial sustainability of many councils in the near future. On top of this, we’ve highlighted that this dramatic increase in spend has not seen educational attainment for pupils with SEND improve over the last decade.

“Today’s report from the IFS highlights many of the concerns councils have been raising, particularly over educational outcomes and the need for a holistic review of the system. This should include incentivising and enabling mainstream schools to better support pupils with SEND, reducing the reliance on specialist placements, alongside a more comprehensive focus on prevention.

“With the government set to unveil reforms for SEND services this Autumn, it is vital that ministers’ plans are comprehensive, leaving no stone unturned in trying to return the system back to sustainability, and to ensure that it works better for young people.”