£26.7m boost for SEND education in Surrey aims to meet growing demand
Hundreds of new specialist places planned across East and West Surrey
Surrey County Council has approved a £26.7 million funding package to enhance SEND (Special Educational Needs and Disabilities) provision amid a rising need for specialist educational support.
The funding, received through central government grants, will be used to create hundreds of new specialist places for children across East and West Surrey.
Deputy education lead Councillor Clare Curran emphasised the challenge, explaining that since 2019, the number of education, health, and care plans in Surrey has more than doubled, rising from around 9,500 to approximately 20,000.
Of the total funding, £8.1 million is earmarked for creating places to support children with complex autism spectrum conditions in West Surrey.
The remaining £18.8 million will be distributed across both West and East Surrey, divided 55 percent to West Surrey and 45 percent to East Surrey.
Councillor Curran highlighted that there is still a significant unmet demand for SEND services particularly during key transition periods.
She stressed the importance of expanding specialist capacity to ensure children can access high-quality provision closer to home, while acknowledging the continued need for placements in unmaintained and independent settings.
The newly approved funding aims to deliver 399 new places and make 54 temporary places permanent, subject to consultation.
The committee report states that creating additional specialist places supports health inequality projects and thriving communities, ensuring no one is left behind.
Delivering school places closer to home is expected to reduce dependence on non-maintained and independent school places, improving outcomes and reducing future pressures and expenditure for successor authorities.