More SEND children to stay in mainstream schools

Stoke-on-Trent City Council will divert funding to help more SEND children stay in mainstream education

More children with special educational needs and disabilities (SEND) will be supported to stay in mainstream schools as part of a council's plan to bring down costs.

Stoke-on-Trent City Council is facing a £22.4m deficit against its dedicated schools grant (DSG) – ring-fenced funding from the government to help with education -related services.

A report to the authority's cabinet said the deficit was expected to increase to £38.8m by the end of 2025/26, caused by a rapid rise in children with SEND.

In Stoke-on-Trent, youngsters who needed education, heath and care plans (EHCPs) went from 2,390 in 2021 to 3,472 in 2025.

Many of those go to costly private schools, the report said, with just 34% attending mainstream education, compared to the national average of 40%.

During a meeting on Tuesday, the council's cabinet agreed to divert some SEND funding to schools with the aim of helping support children within mainstream education, without the need for an EHCP.

Councillor Sarah Jane Colclough said the plan would "enable better outcomes" for children

Councillor Sarah Jane Colclough, cabinet member for children's services, said many authorities in England faced similar deficits as a result of a growing numbers of children with SEND.

She said the authority's plan would "enable better outcomes for children" and allow them to remain at mainstream schools in their area.

"Parents and carers will get the confidence that their children will be getting their needs met locally, collaboratively by the best educational setting in their community," she added.

The city council will launch a pilot scheme for the new funding model in September.

This news was gathered by the Local Democracy Reporting Service which covers councils and other public service organisations.