Children with special needs need equal funding, councils say

Children with special educational needs could miss out in new funding formula under government plans if there is no local input into education funding priorities, councils have warned.

The Local Government Association (LGA), which represents over 370 councils, says it supports the introduction of a revised formula to address inequality in the school funding system.

But it also warns that setting budgets for England’s 22,0000 schools from Whitehall ‘won’t work’, and asks the government to allow local authorities a persisting role in local funding decisions in order to protect high needs children.

It comes after the government renewed its commitment to introduce a fairer funding formula for all schools in the wake of the general election.

Richard Watts, chair of the LGA’s children and young people board, said: “Currently, there is a real fear amongst councils that a strict national funding formula will not reflect local need and that children could potentially miss out on receiving the education they deserve.

“This is particularly concerning for those with special educational needs and disability support as councils will no longer be able to make additional funding available under current plans.

“The setting of school budgets works best when done at a local level, with councils working with head teachers, governors and schools forums to determine need and priorities.

“The government should allow councils to have some flexibility over how the national formula is implemented locally to ensure the widest possible success and acceptance.”