Devon's special educational needs and disabilities (SEND) service is predicted to overspend by £88 million this year, a figure that highlights the urgency of expected national reforms, according to the county council.
The council's cabinet heard that the service would again overspend as demand from families rises and costs escalate. The SEND service helps ensure children with learning difficulties or physical disabilities can access education. But the average annual cost of an education, health and care plan (EHCP), which is often required for children to get the support they need, has jumped to more than £19,900 in July from just over £17,000 in March.
A key factor in the high costs is students being placed in SEND-focused schools, prompting a push locally and nationally to increase the number of SEND children attending mainstream settings.
Earlier this year, the government confirmed it would pay off 90 per cent of SEND deficits at local councils with a roughly £5 billion grant. But this relates to deficits accumulated up to the end of the previous financial year, which ended in March 2026. That means the expected overspend this financial year could fall on Devon unless further support from Parliament is forthcoming.
"If the anticipated government support [for this financial year] is not received, a corresponding pressure of
Devon SEND Overspend Forecast At £88m Amid Funding Fears