Government to take control of SEND funding in major budget overhaul

In her latest budget, Rachel Reeves announced a major change to how schools support children with Special Educational Needs and Disabilities (SEND).

The government plans to move funding for SEND from local authorities to central government, aiming to create a more consistent and stable system across schools nationwide.

Currently, SEND funding is managed by local authorities, meaning the level of support schools receive can vary depending on local budgets.

Many authorities are struggling with large SEND deficits, which can delay support for pupils who need it most.

By centralising the funding, the government hopes to remove these financial pressures and make access to resources more predictable and equitable.

A trainee teacher said the shift could bring “more consistency and stability to schools, because funding would no longer depend on the financial situation of individual local authorities.”

She also highlighted the potential benefits for pupils, but stressed that much would depend on how the reforms are implemented.

“The government’s changes could improve outcomes for pupils with SEND, but it depends on how the reforms are put into practice in schools,” she explained.

“Many local authorities have been carrying large SEND deficits, so removing that pressure might eventually help schools access support more quickly and fairly.”

Education experts say the success of the reforms will rely on careful planning and monitoring. While central funding could help standardise support, schools will still need guidance and resources to ensure the money ensures real improvements in the classroom.

Families and schools alike will be closely watching as the government rolls out these changes, hoping that the new system will deliver on its promise: a fairer, more predictable approach to supporting pupils with SEND, giving every child the opportunity to thrive.