Organisation

Department for Education (DfE)

27 stories · discussed at 15 council meetings · 18 councils

Councils are addressing significant Special Educational Needs and Disabilities (SEND) funding deficits and reforms, alongside DfE school funding allocations.

Kingston Council's Schools Forum noted a £20.5 million cumulative deficit in its Dedicated Schools Grant (DSG) for Special Educational Needs and Disabilities (SEND) in September 2026, with a proposed DfE stability grant expected to reduce this to £16.9 million. Other councils, including Kensington and Chelsea, Richmond, Lewisham, and Hammersmith and Fulham, are also reporting significant DSG overspends or considering transfers to their High Needs Blocks for SEND.

Councils are also responding to national SEND reforms and inspections. Tower Hamlets submitted its SEND Reform Plan to the Department for Education (DfE) in September 2026, hoping for reimbursement of high needs block overspend. Sutton's SEND services are undergoing priority action following a critical Ofsted and Care Quality Commission review in September 2026, while Redbridge was required to create a Priority Action Plan in November 2025 after an inspection found 'systematic failures'.

The Department for Education (DfE) continues to confirm Dedicated Schools Grant (DSG) allocations, with Hammersmith and Fulham receiving £127.775 million for 2026/27, a 1.58% per-pupil increase, confirmed by the DfE in February 2026. Haringey schools face a 0% funding increase for 2026-27, aligning with the DfE's National Funding Formula. Redbridge Schools Forum is scheduled to meet on October 1, 2026, where this topic will be on the agenda.

Key facts

  1. Kingston Council's cumulative SEND deficit on the Dedicated Schools Grant (DSG) is £20.5 million as of September 2026. Source
  2. A proposed DfE stability grant of £22.093 million is intended to write off 90% of DSG deficits as at March 31, 2026. Source
  3. Sutton's SEND services are set to receive priority action following a critical review by Ofsted and the Care Quality Commission in September 2026. Source
  4. Tower Hamlets submitted its SEND Reform Plan to the Department for Education (DfE) in September 2026. Source
  5. Hammersmith and Fulham Council confirmed a Dedicated Schools Grant (DSG) of £127.775 million for its schools in the 2026/27 financial year, confirmed by the DfE in February 2026. Source
About this summary

This summary was written automatically from our published stories and the council meeting records they draw on, with background from Wikipedia. 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 30 September 2026. Spotted a mistake? Email community@opencouncil.network.

Stories, page 2

  1. Wandsworth Schools to Implement New RSHE Guidance Emphasizing Engagement and Transparency Wandsworth schools are set to adopt new guidance on Relationships, Sex and Health Education (RSHE) from September 2026, following an update from the Department for Education... Wandsworth 29 January 2026
  2. Schools face 0% funding increase amid budget shifts Haringey schools will face a 0% funding increase for the 2026-27 academic year, as the council adopts a new funding model that aligns with the Department for Education's... Haringey 25 January 2026
  3. Whiteheath Infant School to admit two-year-olds Whiteheath Infant and Nursery School in Hillingdon is set to expand its admissions to include two-year-olds, with the change proposed to be implemented no later than September... Hillingdon 19 January 2026
  4. Hammersmith and Fulham Schools Forum Considers Transferring Funds to High Needs Block Amid Budgetary Pressures Hammersmith and Fulham's Schools Forum is considering a transfer of funds from the Schools Block to the High Needs Block to support children with special educational needs and... Hammersmith and Fulham 20 December 2025
  5. Hammersmith and Fulham Schools to Receive 1.62% Per-Pupil Funding Increase, Below National Average Hammersmith and Fulham schools are set to receive a 1.62% increase in per-pupil funding for the 2026/27 financial year, according to provisional figures discussed at the recent... Hammersmith and Fulham 20 December 2025
  6. Lewisham Schools Forum Considers Transferring Funds to Support High Needs in 2026/27 Budget Lewisham schools may see a shift in funding as the Schools Forum considers transferring funds from the Schools Block to support High Needs, which currently faces significant... Lewisham 15 December 2025
  7. Enfield Council to Transfer Funds to Support Pupils with EHCPs Enfield Council is proposing to transfer 0.5% of its Dedicated Schools Grant (DSG) Schools Block, equating to £1.656 million, to the High Needs Block for the 2026/27 financial... Enfield 7 December 2025
  8. Park View School Roof to be Replaced After RAAC Discovery Haringey Council has approved a contract to replace the roof of Block A at Park View School after the discovery of Reinforced Autoclaved Aerated Concrete (RAAC). The decision,... Haringey 5 December 2025