Richmond's Schools Forum has praised the borough's SEND (Special Educational Needs and Disabilities) Futures Plan, despite ongoing concerns about funding shortfalls.

At a meeting on Thursday 3 July 2025, the Schools Forum reviewed the progress of the SEND Futures Plan, which aims to improve outcomes for children and young people with SEND. The forum noted that Richmond's Safety Valve Agreement has ended and the council has requested clarity about future funding levels. As of May 2025, Richmond reported 2,082 EHCPs (Education, Health and Care Plans), a 10.5% increase compared to May 2024.

Key achievements of the SEND Futures Plan include:

  • Completion of a project focused on developing a consistent model of resource allocation for Specialist Resource Provisions (SRPs) within mainstream schools.
  • Completion of the discovery phase for the therapies review, resulting in four workstreams for improvement.
  • Development of an expanded 'Catalyst Programme' for post-16 young people with emotionally related school avoidance.
  • Pre-construction work has started on satellite sites at Clarendon and Strathmore, expected to open in September 2026.

Pie chart showing requests by education stage.
Pie chart showing requests by education stage.Source: Meeting papers, 3 July 2025

Despite the positive progress, the Schools Forum also highlighted areas of concern. The opening of the London River Academy, a Social, Emotional & Mental Health school, has been further delayed until 2027, requiring further contingency options. There are also concerns about the availability of health services and joint health funding.

The indicative High Needs Block (HNB) deficit is £4.069m, with a notable rise in Post-16 spend, according to the minutes of the High Needs Block subgroup meeting on 6 January 2025, available in Item 9 - Richmond Schools High Needs Block meeting minutes 13.5.2025 1.pdf.

The Schools Forum also received a 2025/26 Finance Update and noted the proposed budget setting timetable for 2026/27. The borough is projecting to spend £239.086m on DSG funded education services, which would result in a £3.445m shortfall and a cumulative deficit of £3.670m by the end of March 2026. This projected shortfall includes £1.5m for Education, Health and Care Plans (EHCPs) that are expected to be approved before the end of the financial year.