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Special Educational Needs and Disabilities (SEND)

63 stories · discussed at 50 council meetings · 30 councils

Councils are addressing significant financial pressures and implementing reforms to improve support for children with special educational needs and disabilities.

Bexley had its Special Educational Needs and Disabilities (SEND) improvement notice lifted in October 2026, following successful reforms. In October 2026, Southwark Council is expanding inclusion hubs in secondary schools as part of its SEND reform plan, while Croydon's Family Hubs showed progress for children with SEND. Islington Council committed £1.56 million to its SEND reforms for 2026-27, focusing on early intervention and strengthening mainstream provision. Kingston upon Thames unified its SEND Reform Plan and SEND Futures Plan in September 2026.

Several councils are reporting significant financial pressures related to SEND. Sutton Council faces a £36.5 million budget gap over three years, partly due to rising demand in SEND services, as reported in October 2026. In September 2026, Greenwich Council reported an £18.1 million schools funding shortfall, Redbridge Council a £17.352 million overspend, and Havering Council an estimated £45 million overspend, all primarily driven by High Needs Block pressures. Kingston schools are also facing a recruitment crisis for educational psychologists and occupational therapists.

Sutton's SEND services received an Area for Priority Action from Ofsted and the Care Quality Commission in September 2026, concerning dysphagia pathways. Redbridge Council's Cabinet is scheduled to discuss the topic on 22 October 2026. Special educational needs and disabilities (SEND) refers to the educational support and provision for children and young people who require additional support in their learning due to difficulties or disabilities.

Key facts

  1. Bexley had its Special Educational Needs and Disabilities (SEND) improvement notice lifted in October 2026. Source
  2. Sutton Council faces a £36.5 million budget gap over the next three years, partly due to rising demand in SEND services. Source
  3. Islington Council committed £1.56 million for its Special Educational Needs and Disabilities (SEND) reforms for 2026-27. Source
  4. Kingston upon Thames schools are facing a significant recruitment crisis for educational psychologists and occupational therapists. Source
  5. Sutton's Special Educational Needs and Disabilities (SEND) services received an Area for Priority Action from Ofsted and the CQC in September 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.

Stories, page 2

  1. Greenwich Council faces £18.1m schools funding shortfall Greenwich Council faces a significant funding shortfall of £18.1 million for its schools, primarily driven by pressures within the High Needs Block. Greenwich 27 September 2026
  2. Sutton's SEND Services Face Priority Action Sutton's Special Educational Needs and Disabilities (SEND) services are set to receive priority action following a critical review by Ofsted and the Care Quality Commission (CQC). Sutton 26 September 2026
  3. Redbridge plans for school places amid falling birth rates Redbridge Council is developing plans to ensure sufficient school places for its pupils, navigating a national trend of falling birth rates and declining school rolls. The... Redbridge 21 September 2026
  4. Redbridge council faces £17m overspend on schools grant Redbridge Council is facing a projected overspend of £17.352 million on its Dedicated Schools Grant (DSG), primarily driven by increasing demand and complexity of needs for... Redbridge 21 September 2026
  5. 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
  6. 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
  7. 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
  8. 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