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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 8

  1. Camden Schools Face £8.45M Overspend on Special Needs, Mitigation Strategy Considered Camden schools are facing a significant financial challenge, with a projected £8.45 million overspend on special needs provisions for the 2025/26 academic year. This overspend... Camden 22 September 2025
  2. Waltham Forest faces £31.4M budget overspend Waltham Forest is grappling with a significant budget overspend of £31.4 million, according to a recent report presented to the Budget Scrutiny Committee. Like many other local... Waltham Forest 8 September 2025
  3. Hillingdon sees improvement in SEND support, lowers EHCP growth Hillingdon has seen a significant improvement in its support for children with Special Educational Needs and Disabilities (SEND), according to a recent update presented to the... Hillingdon 3 August 2025
  4. Odessa Infant School Faces Closure Due to Budget Deficit Newham's Odessa Infant School is facing potential closure due to a growing budget deficit, prompting a proposal to amalgamate it with the neighbouring St James' Junior School.... Newham 1 August 2025
  5. Greenwich Council Faces £8.87M Deficit in Dedicated Schools Grant, Submits Recovery Plan Greenwich Council's Schools Forum has reported an £8.87 million deficit in the Dedicated Schools Grant (DSG) as of 31 March 2025. The forum met on Wednesday 16 July 2025 to... Greenwich 20 July 2025
  6. Bromley Schools Face £7.3M Overspend, SEN Costs a Key Driver Bromley schools are facing a significant financial challenge, with a projected £7.3 million overspend, primarily driven by the rising costs of special educational needs (SEN).... Bromley 17 July 2025
  7. Redbridge Schools Face £5.1M Deficit in Special Needs Funding Redbridge schools are facing a significant financial challenge, with a projected £5.1 million deficit in funding for special educational needs and disabilities (SEND) for the... Redbridge 12 July 2025