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 3

  1. Barnet Council faces £13.3m DSG deficit due to increased SEND demand Barnet Council is facing a projected deficit of £13.3 million in its Dedicated Schools Grant (DSG) for the current financial year, a report presented to the Finance and Growth... Barnet 22 July 2026
  2. Greenwich Council to fund food vouchers for SEND children educated at home Greenwich Council's Cabinet has agreed to introduce food provision for children with Special Educational Needs and Disabilities (SEND) who are educated at home. Greenwich 19 July 2026
  3. Harrow's SEND Reform Plan 2026-2029 Receives Cabinet Endorsement and Provisional Funding Harrow's Cabinet has endorsed a reform plan aimed at significantly improving services for children and young people with Special Educational Needs and Disabilities (SEND). The... Harrow 11 July 2026
  4. Havering Council faces £32m SEND overspend Havering Council is grappling with a significant financial challenge, with its Dedicated Schools Grant (DSG) for children with Special Educational Needs and Disabilities (SEND)... Havering 10 July 2026
  5. Croydon's SEND Reforms and EHCP Demand Drive Directorate Transformation Croydon's Children, Young People and Education (CYPE) Directorate is undergoing a significant transformation to address rising demand for services, particularly in the area of... Croydon 5 July 2026
  6. Lewisham Prepares for National SEND Reforms with Local Plan and Retention Strategies Lewisham is set to implement national reforms designed to enhance support for children with Special Educational Needs and Disabilities (SEND). The borough has developed a Local... Lewisham 1 July 2026
  7. Bexley's SEND Reforms Show Progress, But Challenges Persist in Key Areas Bexley's efforts to reform Special Educational Needs and Disabilities (SEND) services are showing progress, with improvements noted in the timeliness and quality of Education,... Bexley 1 July 2026
  8. Hammersmith and Fulham SEND services achieve highest possible rating from Ofsted and CQC Hammersmith and Fulham's services for children and young people with special educational needs and disabilities (SEND) have received the highest possible rating in a recent... Hammersmith and Fulham 30 June 2026