Send Provision Costs Rise in England: Crunch Time Report

Published: 21 January 2026. The English Chronicle Desk. The English Chronicle Online.

The government is under increasing pressure over Send provision costs as demand for services continues rising sharply. Special educational needs and disabilities (Send) funding has become a critical concern, with thinktanks warning that rising costs risk squeezing mainstream school resources and undermining overall educational quality. The Institute for Fiscal Studies (IFS) report shows that expenditure on children with special needs in England is projected to double between 2015 and 2028, creating significant financial and logistical challenges for local authorities and schools alike.

According to the IFS, the growth in Send spending is outpacing the support capacity for families and institutions. Luke Sibieta, one of the report’s authors, stated that England’s current system is becoming increasingly costly while failing to deliver consistent outcomes for children who require extra support. Sibieta stressed that the government is now facing a “crunch time” scenario, requiring urgent decisions about resource allocation for Send and mainstream education.

The most pressing issue in education today is the growing dysfunction in the Send provision system,” Sibieta explained. “The problems are long-standing, yet they have intensified over the years. Government reform is crucial, but immediate choices are unavoidable: either slow Send spending growth, accept a squeeze on mainstream schools, or find additional funds through taxes or budget adjustments elsewhere.”

The report further notes that local authorities have been forced to divert money from mainstream schools to cover escalating Send provision costs, with approximately £150 million rerouted last year alone. Bill Revans, Send spokesperson for the County Councils Network, highlighted that national Send spending per pupil has risen at twice the rate of funding for mainstream students, reflecting the exponential rise in demand and costs.

One proposed solution is for the government to use falling school rolls to reallocate £1.8 billion toward special needs education by 2028. A forthcoming schools white paper is expected to outline strategies to expand Send provision within mainstream state schools. This could allow more children with Send to attend local schools rather than competing for limited and more expensive special school placements.

Pepe Di’Iasio, general secretary of the Association of School and College Leaders, emphasised that financial considerations should not overshadow the need for tangible improvements in support services. “While many schools provide excellent support for young people with Send, the system overall is not meeting current needs effectively,” Di’Iasio said. The reforms outlined in the white paper will also focus on education, health, and care plans (EHCPs), which legally formalise the support children with special needs receive, including school placements.

The IFS warned that reducing EHCPs or limiting their scope could help slow high-needs spending growth, but such measures would take time to produce savings. Simultaneously, increased investment will remain necessary to enhance mainstream schools’ capacity to accommodate children with additional needs. In response, the Department for Education recently announced £200 million in funding for training school staff in supporting pupils with special needs and disabilities.

A Department spokesperson stated, “This package will help children feel safe and welcome, supporting attendance, attainment, and wellbeing. It marks a key step in making inclusive practice standard across all schools.” Experts agree that while funding is essential, effective implementation, quality training, and strategic planning are equally vital to meet the growing demand for Send provision without compromising mainstream education.

The IFS report reflects the stark reality that unless urgent decisions are made, rising Send costs could continue to strain the education system, highlighting a critical policy juncture for ministers. The balance between funding allocations, inclusive education, and maintaining quality across all schools is now at the forefront of policy debates, making it a pivotal moment for the future of England’s educational landscape.

As the government prepares its schools white paper, the pressure to deliver practical solutions that benefit both children with Send and mainstream pupils will intensify. Stakeholders across education and local authorities continue to call for a system that balances fiscal responsibility with the ethical imperative of providing high-quality education for every child.

The current situation underscores the urgency of addressing systemic inefficiencies while ensuring sustainable support for children with special educational needs. Without swift action, schools and families may face increasing challenges, with potential long-term consequences for educational outcomes and social equity.

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