MPs have warned that the Government’s SEND reforms have left “unanswered questions” on home-to-school transport and council deficits.
A report by the Public Accounts Committee has said the Government’s plans to help councils in England struggling to finance support for children with SEND do not take into account rising home-to-school transport costs, while the plan to tackle spiralling deficits in future years remains unclear. It is urging the Government to clarify the level of support it will provide to councils with ongoing SEND deficits.
Cllr Amanda Hopgood, Chair of the LGA’s Children, Young People and Families Committee, said: “Steps to improve mainstream inclusion will go some way towards reducing the need for costly home-to-school transport and long journey times. The announcement that 90 per cent of councils’ historic Dedicated Schools Grant [DSG] deficits will be written off also gives councils breathing space.
“To ensure discussions on reform focus solely on meeting the needs of children and young people with SEND quickly and effectively, government must commit to ensuring that all DSG deficits are written off, ahead of the statutory override ending in March 2028.
“It should also provide additional funding for councils to meet the growing need for home-to-school transport for children and young people with SEND.”