Issue

high needs block

10 stories · discussed at 6 council meetings · 10 councils

Councils are currently addressing substantial deficits in the High Needs Block, which funds special educational needs, with some receiving stability grants.

Kingston Council's cumulative Dedicated Schools Grant (DSG) deficit reached £20.5 million in September 2026, though a proposed stability grant is expected to reduce it to £16.947 million. This grant aims to write off 90% of DSG deficits as at March 2026, as revealed at a Schools Forum meeting on September 28, 2026. Similarly, Kensington and Chelsea's DSG deficit was £4,088,000 in June 2026, with a new High Needs Stability Grant expected to cover about £3.7 million.

Other councils also report significant financial pressures within the High Needs Block, which funds support for children with special educational needs and disabilities. Greenwich Council faces an £18.1 million funding shortfall, discussed at a Cabinet meeting on September 23, 2026. Havering Council reported an estimated £45 million overspend in its DSG, primarily in the High Needs Block, driven by increasing demand for specialist support, presented to Cabinet on September 16, 2026. Wandsworth Council's Children's Overview and Scrutiny Committee scrutinised budget overspends in September 2026.

The High Needs Block is a component of the Dedicated Schools Grant (DSG) that funds provision for pupils with high needs, including those with Education, Health and Care Plans. Councils continue to discuss the financial challenges and strategies to manage these pressures at various committee and cabinet meetings.

Key facts

  1. Kingston Council's cumulative Dedicated Schools Grant deficit was £20.5 million in September 2026. Source
  2. Greenwich Council faces an £18.1 million schools funding shortfall, primarily due to pressures within the High Needs Block, discussed in September 2026. Source
  3. Havering Council faces an estimated £45 million overspend in its Dedicated Schools Grant, concentrated in the High Needs Block, reported in September 2026. Source
  4. Kensington and Chelsea's Dedicated Schools Grant deficit was £4,088,000 in June 2026, with a new High Needs Stability Grant expected to cover about £3.7 million. Source 1 Source 2
  5. Kingston schools faced a projected £12.7 million deficit for the 2025/26 academic year, with the High Needs Block forecast to overspend by £13.148 million, reported in January 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 30 September 2026. Spotted a mistake? Email community@opencouncil.network.

Latest stories

  1. Kingston SEND Deficit Soars to £20.5 Million Amidst National Pressures Kingston Council is grappling with a substantial financial deficit in its Special Educational Needs and Disabilities (SEND) services, with the cumulative shortfall on the... Kingston upon Thames 30 September 2026
  2. 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
  3. Wandsworth Council Faces SEND Service Pressure Amidst Rising Demand and Budget Overspends Wandsworth Council is grappling with significant challenges in its Special Educational Needs and Disabilities (SEND) services, as demand surges and financial pressures mount.... Wandsworth 23 September 2026
  4. 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
  5. Redbridge Council's Medium Term Financial Strategy Faces Uncertainty Redbridge Council faces significant financial uncertainty, with projections indicating a substantial funding gap from the 2029/30 financial year onwards. Despite securing an... Redbridge 21 July 2026
  6. SEND Reforms Face Funding and Workforce Challenges Amidst Growing Deficit Concerns over funding and workforce capacity are casting a shadow over the implementation of Special Educational Needs and Disabilities (SEND) reforms, according to discussions... Kensington and Chelsea 10 June 2026
  7. K&C Schools Face £4m Deficit in Dedicated Schools Grant Despite Rising School Balances Kensington and Chelsea schools are grappling with a significant financial deficit, with the Dedicated Schools Grant (DSG) reserve balance standing at over £4 million as of March... Kensington and Chelsea 10 June 2026
  8. Kingston Schools Face £12.7m Deficit Amidst Rising High Needs Costs Kingston schools are facing a projected deficit of £12.7 million for the 2025/26 academic year, primarily due to significant pressures within the High Needs Block. Kingston upon Thames 30 January 2026