We’ve signed an agreement with the Government which will see an extra £95 million of national funds set aside to reduce our deficit on special needs education.
Why do we need the extra money?
Our cumulative spending on education for children with special needs and disabilities (SEND) over the past 10 years is set to create a deficit (the gap between the budget allocated and the budget spent) of £163 million by the end of this financial year.
We’ve set aside £10 million this year to help reduce it, and in common with councils across the country, we’ve been negotiating with the Government for extra funding for special needs education under the so-called Safety Valve programme.
What does the agreement involve?
The new agreement will see the Government contribute an extra £38 million by the end of March with the remaining cash being spread out over the following eight years.
We will contribute a further £5 million a year from our revenue budget and £20 million from our reserves to bring the deficit back into balance by the end of the agreement.
What does this mean for special needs education in Devon?
This is all about improving the outcomes and experiences of our children and young people. It is no secret that the councils with the best outcomes are very often the most cost effective too.
This is a significant opportunity for us as it ensures services are delivered within the annual ring-fenced grant and provides the framework for service improvement, as well as putting us back onto a sustainable financial footing.
We now need to work increasingly closely with our partners in schools and the NHS as teamwork is so integral to this agreement.
What are we doing to improve services for children and families with Special Educational Needs and Disabilities (SEND) in Devon?
Our SEND Transformation Programme is already well underway, and this latest agreement with the Government for additional financial support is part of it.
The action plan we have agreed as part of this deal includes many of the key improvement areas already in our overall strategy improve the experiences of children and young people with SEND and their families with the education, health and care systems within Devon. These include:
- focussing on improving early intervention through strengthened universal and targeted support
- supporting young people from 14 to 25 years old to access appropriate education and training and ensure a planned transition into employment, independent living and their next steps into adult life
- ensuring sufficient special school places along with the establishment of Specialist Resource Provision and improved use of Alternative Provision
- working with partners to improve the inclusive capacity of Devon’s mainstream schools
- working with partners to improve the way services in Devon – including health and schools – work together to provide seamless support for children and families