Kent's rising SEND costs could be curbed by new government plans
Campaigners warn impact on vulnerable children in mainstream schools
Efforts to reduce the rising costs of special educational needs and disability (SEND) provision in Kent may soon be bolstered by new government proposals.
Currently, families in Kent can apply for legally binding education, health, and care plans (EHCPs) through Kent County Council (KCC).
These plans guarantee tailored support for children with special educational needs. However, a new government white paper could limit EHCPs to only those with the greatest needs, while mainstream schools take greater responsibility for supporting other pupils.
The plans also include a £3 billion allocation for classroom assistants and other resources to ease the transition. However, it would shift oversight away from parents, whose direct legal role would be replaced by schools.
KCC, which is facing soaring bills, could benefit from this change. Figures show the council spent £17 million assessing and issuing EHCPs last year, with 21,000 pupils receiving the plans, half of whom qualified for home-to-school transport (HST) – costing nearly £100 million annually.
The council has committed to eliminating its £82 million SEND deficit by 2028 while continuing efforts to curb its reliance on expensive independent providers and specialist state-funded schools.
Campaigners fear impact on vulnerable children
While the measures may aim to bring financial stability to SEND provision, campaigners have expressed concerns over the impact they could have on children.
Kent mum and SEND advocate Dannii, whose daughter has autism, highlighted the current challenges families face.
“Kent County Council claims that cutting-edge strategies will save them money, but children without support are already being left to struggle in mainstream schools,” she said.
Dannii added that many parents are forced to fight costly and lengthy legal battles to secure the appropriate support for their children – campaigns that she says often result in mental health crises for children who have to endure an under-resourced education system while their cases are processed.
“The real waste here isn’t EHCPs; it’s public money being spent on large and lengthy legal battles while children’s well-being is put at risk,” Dannii said.
Financial challenges
The pressure to regulate SEND costs has been mounting in Kent as the council overspent its high needs block by more than £50 million in 2024, leaving a total high needs block expense of more than £300 million.
The council has attributed the overspend to factors such as its reliance on specialist provisions and independent SEND schools rather than supporting children to remain in mainstream education locally.
KCC’s SEND Strategy for 2025-2028 promotes the principles of “inclusion, partnership, and participation.” However, reducing reliance on specialist placements will come with challenges.
Government plans to reform EHCPs, led by Secretary of State for Education Bridget Philipson, aim to support councils like KCC in providing better value for money, but the plans will likely face opposition from Labour backbenchers.
KCC has declined to comment on the impending changes until official details are released.