Log in
Issue

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 7

  1. 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
  2. Enfield Schools Face £4.4M Overspend on SEND Provisions, Contributing to £21.9M Deficit Enfield schools are grappling with a significant financial strain, primarily driven by increasing demands and costs associated with Special Educational Needs and Disabilities... Enfield 7 December 2025
  3. Welsh Harp Centre to Offer SEND Opportunities The Welsh Harp Centre is set to expand its services to provide vocational skills development for young people aged 16 and over with Special Educational Needs and Disabilities... Barnet 28 November 2025
  4. Redbridge SEND Action Plan Approved After Stakeholder Input Redbridge's Special Educational Needs and Disabilities (SEND) Partnership has a new action plan after a critical inspection earlier this year revealed widespread and/or... Redbridge 26 November 2025
  5. Richmond Council Faces £5M Education Overspend Richmond Council is facing financial strain in its education budget, with forecasts indicating a £5 million overspend in the Dedicated Schools Grant (DSG), leading to a... Richmond upon Thames 17 November 2025
  6. Lewisham Youth Services Redesigned After Youth First Insourcing Lewisham Council has redesigned its youth services following the insourcing of commissioned youth provision, previously delivered by Youth First, on 1 April 2025. The changes,... Lewisham 8 November 2025
  7. Southwark Council Rejects Funding for EHCP Assessments in Schools, Citing Local Authority Responsibility and Anticipated Government Reforms Southwark Council has decided against allocating immediate funding for Education, Health and Care Plan (EHCP) needs assessments within schools. This decision comes despite a... Southwark 10 October 2025
  8. Southwark Council to Launch Training Program for Parents of Children with Autism and ADHD Southwark Council is set to launch a new training programme for parents and carers of children with autism and ADHD. The initiative follows a review of Education, Health and... Southwark 10 October 2025