Understanding SEND Funding in England: Challenges and the Path Ahead
- abtutoring
- Jun 12
- 3 min read
Special Educational Needs and Disabilities (SEND) funding in England has become a critical issue in recent years. As more children are identified as needing additional support, local authorities, schools, and families are grappling with how to ensure that every child gets the education they deserve. But what is SEND funding, how does it work, and why is it under so much pressure?
This blog unpacks the complexities of SEND funding in England and explores the current challenges facing the system.
What Is SEND Funding?
SEND funding refers to the money allocated to support children and young people with special educational needs or disabilities so they can access education on an equal footing with their peers. This support may include teaching assistants, specialist teachers, equipment, or even placement in special schools.
SEND funding is typically divided into three levels:
Element 1 – Core funding: Basic per-pupil funding for all children, including those with SEND.
Element 2 – Additional support: Up to £6,000 per pupil per year, provided by schools for additional needs.
Element 3 – Top-up funding: For children whose needs exceed the above levels, local authorities provide extra funds.
The Pressure on the System
In recent years, there has been a significant increase in the number of Education, Health and Care Plans (EHCPs), which are legally binding documents outlining the support a child with SEND must receive. While this is a positive sign of growing recognition, it has also placed unprecedented pressure on local authority budgets.
Key issues include:
Funding Gaps: Many local authorities are operating in deficit on their High Needs Block, the part of the budget earmarked for SEND.
Legal Challenges: Families are increasingly taking councils to tribunal to secure funding, and the majority of these cases are won by parents.
Inequality: Support can vary significantly by postcode, leading to what’s known as a “SEND lottery.”
Government Response and Reforms
In March 2023, the Department for Education published the SEND and Alternative Provision Improvement Plan, which outlined reforms aimed at improving outcomes and making the system more sustainable. Some key proposals include:
National Standards: To reduce inconsistency across regions.
Local Inclusion Plans: Collaborative planning across health, education, and social care.
Funding Bands and Tariffs: A more transparent system for how needs are funded.
Digital EHCPs: Improving efficiency and access.
While these reforms are welcomed by many, concerns remain about whether the level of funding will meet the growing demand.
The Human Impact
Behind every statistic is a child, a family, and a school doing its best to provide support. Delays in EHCPs, battles for funding, and lack of local provision can have real emotional and educational consequences for children with SEND.
As one parent put it: “We shouldn’t have to fight so hard for basic support. It’s exhausting, and our children are the ones paying the price.”
Looking Ahead
SEND funding in England is at a crossroads. Without urgent investment and a genuine commitment to reform, the system risks failing the very children it aims to protect. However, with growing public awareness and political attention, there is hope that real, systemic change is possible.
Families, educators, and policymakers must continue to work together to create a system that is fair, transparent, and—most importantly—centred on the needs of the child.
Conclusion
SEND funding isn't just a budget line—it's a lifeline for thousands of children and their families. As England looks to the future, the challenge will be to create a system where no child is left behind due to lack of resources or support.
🔹 References
Department for Education (2023). Special Educational Needs and Disabilities (SEND) and Alternative Provision Improvement Plan.
https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/send-and-alternative-provision-improvement-plan
National Audit Office (2023). Support for pupils with special educational needs and disabilities in England.
https://www.nao.org.uk/reports/support-for-pupils-with-send/
Education Policy Institute (2022). SEND Review Analysis: Key Issues in Policy Reform.
https://epi.org.uk/publications-and-research/send-review-analysis/
Local Government Association (2023). SEND: A system under pressure.
https://www.local.gov.uk/topics/children-and-young-people/send-reforms
Special Needs Jungle (2022). SEND Tribunal Outcomes Statistics.
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