Issue

Education, Health and Care Plans (EHCPs)

14 stories · discussed at 19 council meetings · 16 councils

Councils are currently grappling with significant financial pressures and rising demand for Education, Health and Care Plans (EHCPs), which outline support for children with special educational needs.

Financial pressures are a primary concern for councils regarding Education, Health and Care Plans (EHCPs), legal documents outlining support for children with special educational needs and disabilities. Brent Council's schools face a £20.8 million deficit, forecast to double to £41.0 million by March 2027, driven by rising placement costs for EHCPs, as heard by the Resources and Public Realm Scrutiny Committee in October 2026. Richmond's SEND provision is also projected to have a £10.6 million deficit, reaching £11 million by 2026/27, due to high-needs education costs, according to a September 2026 report.

In response to increasing demand, some councils are expanding specialist provision. Brent Council's Cabinet approved expanding Phoenix Arch Special School by 50 places from September 2027 in September 2026. Ealing Council's Cabinet approved new Specialist Resourced Provisions at two schools in July 2026, adding 66 places from September 2027. Islington Council's Executive also approved a joint procurement strategy with Camden Council for disabled children's short breaks, valued at £13.6 million for Islington, in July 2026.

Other discussions include service improvements and challenges in plan processing. Bexley's Children's Services and Education Overview and Scrutiny Committee received news in October 2026 that a SEND improvement notice was lifted and local reform plans agreed. Havering Council's EHCP issuance rate within statutory timescales was questioned by a local councillor in September 2026, following a report in July 2025 that the council faced a backlog due to a shortage of educational psychologists.

Key facts

  1. Brent schools face a £20.8 million deficit, primarily from High Needs Block costs for EHCPs, as heard in October 2026. Source
  2. Richmond's SEND provision faces a projected £10.6 million deficit, expected to reach £11 million by 2026/27, according to a September 2026 report. Source
  3. Brent Council's Cabinet approved expanding Phoenix Arch Special School by 50 places from September 2027 in September 2026. Source
  4. Ealing Council's Cabinet approved new Specialist Resourced Provisions at two schools, adding 66 places from September 2027, in July 2026. Source
  5. Islington Council's Executive approved a joint procurement strategy for disabled children's short breaks with Camden Council, valued at £13.6 million for Islington, in July 2026. Source
About this summary

This summary was written automatically from our published stories and the council meeting records they draw on. It describes what councils have discussed and decided; it does not take a view on any decision. Each key fact links to the story it comes from. Updated 21 October 2026. Spotted a mistake? Email community@opencouncil.network.

Latest stories

  1. Concerns raised over SEND funding in Redbridge Redbridge Council faces growing concerns over funding for its Special Educational Needs and Disabilities (SEND) services, with projections indicating a significant increase in... Redbridge 2 November 2026
  2. Brent Schools Face £20.8 Million Deficit Driven by High Needs Block Costs Brent Council's schools are facing a significant deficit of £20.8 million, primarily driven by escalating costs within the High Needs Block of the Dedicated Schools Grant (DSG). Brent 21 October 2026
  3. Wandsworth Council Faces SEND Service Pressure Amidst Rising Demand and Budget Overspends Wandsworth Council is grappling with significant challenges in its Special Educational Needs and Disabilities (SEND) services, as demand surges and financial pressures mount.... Wandsworth 23 September 2026
  4. Lewisham Council Faces £6.5m General Fund Overspend Driven by Parking and School Transport Costs Lewisham Council is facing a projected £6.5 million overspend on its General Fund for the 2026/27 financial year, an increase of £3.4 million since May. The overspend is... Lewisham 18 September 2026
  5. Richmond SEND provision faces £10.6m deficit amid reform challenges and rising costs Richmond's Special Educational Needs and Disabilities (SEND) provision is facing a significant financial deficit, projected to reach £10.6 million this year, according to a... Richmond upon Thames 12 September 2026
  6. Phoenix Arch special school to expand Brent Council's Cabinet has approved plans to expand Phoenix Arch Special School by 50 places, utilising the Strathcona site from September 2027. The decision comes in response... Brent 9 September 2026
  7. Havering Council's EHCP issuance rate questioned by local councillor Havering Council's performance in issuing Education, Health and Care Plans (EHCPs) within statutory timescales has been questioned by a local councillor. Havering 8 September 2026
  8. Islington Council approves joint procurement for disabled children's short breaks Islington Council's Executive has approved a joint procurement strategy with Camden Council for short breaks for disabled children and young people. The decision, made at a... Islington 3 August 2026