Council tells MPs SEND budget is 'unsustainable'

A £100m black hole in the budget for children with Special Educational Needs and Disabilities (SEND) in Oxfordshire has been highlighted in parliament.

In a written contribution to the Education Select Committee, Oxfordshire County Council said the current SEND system is "unsustainable".

It called for immediate and comprehensive reforms.

The government previously allocated £1bn to SEND services in its first budget.

Oxfordshire County Council has been criticised for its SEND services - with an Ofsted report in 2023 saying there was a "tangible sense of helplessness" among families.

In its submission to the committee, it pointed out that despite rapidly rising expenditure, official reports show that outcomes are not improving nationally for children with SEND.

Councillor Sean Gaul, Oxfordshire County Council's cabinet member for children and young people, said there was a "national crisis" impacting families and children in Oxfordshire.

"The situation is unsustainable," he said.

"The SEND high needs block deficit is expected to hit £100million in Oxfordshire by March 2026, with many other councils across the country in similar situations.

"The whole system is in urgent need of extensive reform.

"We're calling for clarity on funding and long-term sustainable reforms to ensure we have a system fit for purpose that will meet the needs of every SEND child and young person wherever they live, and whatever their individual needs."

The Education Select Committee's "Solving the SEND Crisis" inquiry is looking at how to achieve stability in the SEND system and improve experiences and outcomes for children and young people.

The government has been contacted for a comment.

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