Funding issues impacting on learners with SEND
A survey by the National Association of Head Teachers (NAHT) highlighting significant issues regarding funding is set to be published.
School leaders raised concerns around funding in general but there were particular concerns around funding for SEND. Of the over 1,500 responses:
- 97% said funding for SEND is insufficient
- 95% said funding for children and young people with Education, Health and Care Plans (EHCP) was insufficient
- Over 80% had to buy in speech and language therapy, educational psychologists and other professional services
Paul Whiteman, general secretary of the NAHT, said:
“The crisis in funding for pupils with special educational needs is clear for all to see and is putting significant pressure on school budgets. This report underlines why a comprehensive review of SEND funding, based on pupil need, is urgently needed. Changes to the way that national funding is shared between schools will not solve the problem when there is insufficient money in the system in the first place. The government needs to increase funding so that schools are able to properly meet the needs of all their pupils.”
School leaders are meeting with MPs at a parliamentary briefing on these issues today (8th September).
