Mainstream schools are struggling to support children with special educational needs or disabilities (SEND) in part because of cuts to local authority budgets, according to new findings.

The Key, an organisation providing leadership and management support to schools, talked to 1,100 school leaders who reported far-reaching and systemic issues in the support currently available to children with SEND.

The findings revealed 82% of schools have insufficient funding and budget to adequately provide for SEND pupils, and 89% school leaders have seen the support they receive for these children affected detrimentally by cuts to local authorities’ services.

This is exasperated by delays in assessments of special educational needs (SEN) and education, health and care plans. 75% of schools have pupils who have been waiting longer than the expected maximum time frame of six weeks for these.

Primary schools are under the most strain. 84% of primary school leaders say their budget is insufficient and more than nine in 10 have had the support they receive for SEND provision affected by cuts to their local authority.

At the secondary school level, seven in 10 school leaders raised concerns about their funding and budget for SEND provision, and 81% experienced diminished SEND support because of council cuts.

Fergal Roche, chief executive of The Key said: ‘A year on from major reforms to the national system for SEND provision, these findings represent an important wake-up call from school leaders.

‘Schools need adequate funding and a holistic, well co-ordinated and resourced system of support behind them to provide effectively for children with SEND.’