One SEND battle after another for 'cash starved' North Yorkshire Council

Parents may be concerned that there is not enough provision for Special Educational Needs and Disabilities (SEND) in the county.

But it is a problem that North Yorkshire Council is well aware of and not trying to shy away from.

The latest data for North Yorkshire shows that the number of children and young people identified with SEND and education, health and care plans (EHCPs) in the county has increased by more than 110 per cent since 2016.

And that number is still rising, with more than 6,400 pupils now supported through an EHCP.

It explains why North Yorkshire Council recently urged the Government to ensure that long-awaited special education reforms are fully funded in the county.

North Yorkshire Council’s Deputy Leader, Coun Gareth Dadd, whose responsibilities include finance, said: “We are committed to providing all our children with the very best start to life, and especially those who require specialist education.

“However, the rise in SEND provision has reached a record high and increasing costs are understandably concerning.

“The Government’s announcement that it will help to alleviate some of the financial pressures which all councils are facing is very welcome.

“But it is a one-off payment at this stage and the issue of funding special education will simply not go away.”

In a reflection of the deep financial challenges facing the vast majority of local authorities across England over special educational needs and disabilities, The Department for Education has announced that £5 billion in funding will be used nationally to pay off 90 per cent of SEND debts.

Ministers are also due to set out detailed plans for reforms of SEND in the Schools White Paper which is expected to be unveiled in the coming weeks.

North Yorkshire Council believes it will receive about £22 million, although the exact figure for this one-off payment has yet to be confirmed and concern remains at the very top.

Coun Gadd said: “The Government’s new funding reforms have to clearly set out how we can continue to provide the support for our children and young people who need it the most.

“It is critical that the Government provides the clarity and detail in the forthcoming White Paper to make sure that SEND services will be fully funded in the future and stop councils accruing further deficits.”

But the potential SEND rescue package comes amid continued concern over the general state of local authorities finances after an era of austerity fostered by successive Tory Prime Ministers but not yet entirely ended by the Labour government.

North Yorkshire Council’s overall finances have been hit by a reduction of more than £40 million each year through recent Government’s decisions.

The council says that, even after savings and a 4.99 per cent council tax increase, it has had to use £17 million in reserves to balance the budget for 2026/27.

North Yorkshire Council’s executive member for children and families, Coun Janet Sanderson, said: “I have heard from parents that the current arrangements around SEND provision are simply not working.

“We need the Government’s reforms to allow a greater focus on inclusion and support for children and families.”