Issue

Special Educational Needs and Disabilities (SEND)

59 stories · discussed at 43 council meetings · 29 councils

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

  1. Islington Council committed £1.56 million to SEND reforms for 2026-27 in October 2026. Source
  2. Kingston upon Thames' unified SEND plan is scheduled to launch in October 2026. Source
  3. Greenwich Council faces an £18.1 million schools funding shortfall, primarily from the High Needs Block, reported in September 2026. Source
  4. Redbridge Council faces a projected £17.352 million overspend on its Dedicated Schools Grant, reported in September 2026. Source
  5. 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.

Stories, page 2

  1. Kingston Council's SEND Futures Plan Sees Improved Review Times and Reduced Waiting Lists Kingston Council's SEND Futures Plan is showing promising results, with a significant increase in the timeliness of annual reviews for children with Special Educational Needs... Kingston upon Thames 19 September 2026
  2. Havering Council Faces £45m Overspend in Dedicated Schools Grant Havering Council is grappling with a significant financial challenge, facing an estimated £45 million overspend in its Dedicated Schools Grant (DSG). This substantial deficit is... Havering 18 September 2026
  3. Islington Council Scrutiny Committee Raises Alarm Over Disproportionate Secondary School Suspensions for Vulnerable Pupils Islington Council's Children and Young People Scrutiny Committee has expressed serious concern over the disproportionately high rates of suspension for vulnerable secondary... Islington 16 September 2026
  4. Statutory complaints in children's services surge by 73% Statutory complaints lodged with Richmond's children's services have surged by 73% in the last year, according to a report presented to the Education and Children's Services... Richmond upon Thames 12 September 2026
  5. Brent council highlights EDI progress Brent Council has highlighted significant progress in its Equality, Diversity, and Inclusion (EDI) strategy over the past year, marking the halfway point of its 2024-2028 plan.... Brent 9 September 2026
  6. Lambeth Council Unveils Three-Year SEND Reform Plan for Children and Young People Lambeth Council is set to implement a new plan aimed at reforming support for children with Special Educational Needs and Disabilities (SEND). The SEND Reform Plan, discussed at... Lambeth 9 September 2026
  7. Hackney Council awards £2.2m contract for children's speech therapy Hackney Council has awarded a contract worth over £2.2 million for children's speech and language therapy services, ensuring continuity of essential provision to local families. Hackney 15 August 2026
  8. Hillingdon approves £4.5m for children's therapy services Hillingdon Council's Cabinet has approved a £4.5 million investment in children's therapy services, aiming to enhance support for young people with special educational needs and... Hillingdon 25 July 2026