The decision, confirmed as part of the final Local Government Finance Settlement, will significantly reduce the longstanding financial pressures associated with high needs funding accumulated over many years.
Under the plans, councils with SEND deficits will be eligible for funding to clear past high needs shortfalls, provided they submit a local SEND reform plan approved by the Department for Education.
“We must continue to manage spending carefully to ensure we can meet our legal duties and provide the right support to children and young people.”
Beverley Fordham, KCC’s Cabinet Member for Education & Skills, said: "The decision marks a major shift for councils that have been grappling with large inherited deficits.
“This is an important announcement that removes a major historic financial risk and brings much needed stability to the SEND system. However, with high needs funding remaining tightly constrained next year, we must continue to manage spending carefully to ensure we can meet our legal duties and provide the right support to children and young people."
The news builds on the Council’s ongoing work to improve SEND services, with progress in areas such as early intervention, partnership working with education settings, and improvements to Education, Health and Care Plan processes.
In addition, significant efficiencies have been made this year in home-to-school transport. Through smarter planning and improved route management, the Council achieved £2.5 million in savings this year – on top of a £4.7 million underspend previously reported – without cutting any services to families.
These efficiencies ensure that eligible children continue to receive reliable, high-quality transport while easing pressure on the Council’s budget.
Cllr Fordham added: “We are proud of the improvements already made across our SEND services and of the transport efficiencies achieved without reducing services. We remain firmly committed to improving SEND services so that every child, young person and their family in Kent receives the right support at the right time.”
KCC will continue working closely with the Department for Education as further national SEND reforms are expected to be published in the coming weeks.
