Source · Select Committees · Public Accounts Committee
Recommendation 25
25
The Department funds local authorities for support for children and young people with high needs...
Conclusion
The Department funds local authorities for support for children and young people with high needs through the dedicated schools grant. The number of local authorities reporting a deficit on their dedicated schools grant increased from five of 150 in 2014–15 to 94 of 149 in 2019–20. The total deficit, for local authorities reporting a deficit, was £675 million in 2019–20, an increase of £664 million since 2014–15. The main reason for the declining financial position is the increasing pressure many local authorities are facing from supporting children with SEND.50
Government Response
Not Addressed
HM Government
Not Addressed
4. PAC conclusion: While we wait for the much-delayed SEND review, the support system continues to fail many children and remains financially unsustainable. 4: PAC recommendation: The Department should set out in the SEND review (which it has committed to publish in the first quarter of 2022) what improvements it is aiming to achieve and over what time period, and make clear what specific metrics it will use to assess whether the support system is improving and becoming more sustainable. 4.1 The government agrees with the Committee’s recommendation Recommendation implemented 4.2 The government published the outcome of the SEND Review in the Special Educational Needs and Disability and Alternative Provision Green Paper - SEND Review: Right Support, Right place, Right time on 29 March 2022. The consultation on the Green Paper will close on 1 July 2022. 4.3 Later in 2022 the department will publish a national SEND delivery plan, setting out the government’s response to the consultation and how change will be implemented and by whom to deliver better outcomes for children and young people. 4.4 The Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State for Children and Families, wrote to the Committee about the Green Paper on 28 March 2022.