Laura Sharman 29 July 2022

Councils face record £2.4bn deficits in SEN this year

Councils face record £2.4bn deficits in SEN this year image
Image: Ermolaev Alexander / Shutterstock.com

Local authority deficits in special educational needs (SEN) have reached an ‘unmanageable’ £2.4bn this year, new research has uncovered.

The analysis from the County Councils Network (CCN) and the Society of County Treasurers shows the deficit is six times higher than levels in 2018.

Council leaders are warning this figure could rise to £3.6bn in 2025 due to the increase in demand for support from young people.

CCN said that scrapping the deficits - in addition to reforms being introduced later this year - would allow councils a blank slate in providing these vital services.

’With councils’ deficits now at £2.4bn many council leaders believe the scale of their debts are unmanageable,’ said Cllr Keith Glazier, children’s services spokesperson for CCN. ‘This is why we are urging the government to write off these deficits, otherwise we face catastrophic financial decisions through no fault of our own or local parents.

’Importantly, this will also buy local authorities and the government time for its new reforms to be implemented, which should address the significant demand-led pressures councils are currently facing. Therefore, councils will be able to start on a blank slate with far less strain on our budgets, so we can better support those with SEN.’

CCN is also calling for the ‘Safety Valve’ programme - where individual councils are given funding to decrease their deficits alongside implementing changes to their SEN support - to be expanded out further.

SIGN UP
For your free daily news bulletin
Highways jobs

Adult Social Worker Mental Health

London Borough of Richmond upon Thames and London Borough of Wandsworth
£38,976 - £52,767
Mental Health Social Worker
Recuriter: London Borough of Richmond upon Thames and London Borough of Wandsworth

Director of Finance (Deputy Section 151 Officer)

Royal Borough of Kingston upon Thames Council
up to salary max £121,445 per annum
We are now seeking a Director of Finance and Deputy Section 151 Officer to play a pivotal role Hybrid / Kingston Upon Thames
Recuriter: Royal Borough of Kingston upon Thames Council

Principal Engineer - Adoptions

West Northamptonshire Council
£49,587 - £52,860
We are seeking an experienced and motivated Principal Highways Engineer to join our Highways Development Management team at West Northamptonshire Council. This is a senior role leading on the assessment, negotiation, and delivery of highway works linked t Northampton
Recuriter: West Northamptonshire Council

Head of Highway Operations

Derbyshire County Council
Grade 15 £63,002 - £69,103 per annum
As we begin to implement our new structure, we have an exciting leadership opportunity as the head of our new operations service. Derbyshire
Recuriter: Derbyshire County Council

Trainee Roadworker Driver

Derbyshire County Council
Grade 5 £25,185 - £25,583 per annum
We’re looking for Roadworker/trainee LGV drivers to be part of our team undertaking all aspects of highways maintenance and improvement works Derbyshire
Recuriter: Derbyshire County Council
Linkedin Banner