West Sussex County Council has warned it is facing a ‘tidal wave of demand’ for services for children with special educational needs and disabilities (SEND).
In 2024/25, the council overspent by more than £54m on the high needs portion of its Dedicated Schools Grant.
Speaking during a meeting of the children and young people’s services scrutiny committee, Jacquie Russell, cabinet member for children, young people and learning, reportedly urged the other committee members to write to their MPs to raise the issue of SEND pressures.
‘This authority, like many, many across the nation, is trying very hard to deal with a tidal wave of demand with their hands tied behind their backs,’ she said.
Local authorities in England are facing a £6bn SEND deficit which has been kept off balance sheets thanks to a statutory override that will now remain in place until the end of 2027-28.
For more on the SEND pressures faced by local authorities, check out The £37,000 SEND Problem by Natalie Kenneison, the chief operating officer from Imosphere.
