Special Educational Needs and Disabilities (SEND)
Councils are addressing significant funding shortfalls and recruitment challenges while implementing SEND reforms to improve support.
Councils are grappling with significant financial pressures related to Special Educational Needs and Disabilities (SEND). In September 2026, Greenwich Council reported an £18.1 million schools funding shortfall, and Redbridge Council projected a £17.352 million overspend on its Dedicated Schools Grant, both largely due to High Needs Block pressures. Havering Council faced an estimated £45 million overspend in September 2026. Islington Council committed £1.56 million in October 2026 to SEND reforms, including the 'Experts at Hand' initiative. Kingston upon Thames is unifying its SEND plans, with a launch scheduled for October 2026.
Efforts to improve SEND support continue, with Kingston's SEND Futures Plan showing improved annual review times in September 2026. However, Kingston schools are facing a recruitment crisis for educational psychologists and occupational therapists, hindering support, as highlighted in September 2026. Sutton's SEND services are receiving priority action following a critical review in September 2026 that identified issues with dysphagia pathways. Redbridge is also seeing growing demand for specialist SEND places, noted in September 2026.
Lambeth Council is implementing a three-year SEND Reform Plan, discussed in September 2026, focusing on inclusion and early intervention. Looking ahead, the Greenwich Schools Forum and the Enfield Healthy and Safe Communities Scrutiny Panel are scheduled to discuss SEND in October 2026. Special Educational Needs and Disabilities (SEND) refers to the educational and support needs of children and young people with learning difficulties or disabilities.
Key facts
- Islington Council committed £1.56 million to SEND reforms for 2026-27 in October 2026. Source
- Kingston upon Thames' unified SEND plan is scheduled to launch in October 2026. Source
- Greenwich Council faces an £18.1 million schools funding shortfall, primarily from the High Needs Block, reported in September 2026. Source
- Redbridge Council faces a projected £17.352 million overspend on its Dedicated Schools Grant, reported in September 2026. Source
- Sutton's SEND services are receiving priority action following an Ofsted and CQC review in September 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 3 October 2026. Spotted a mistake? Email community@opencouncil.network.