DfE unveils £76m to support SEN reforms

The funding, announced today by children’s minister Edward Timpson at the Future of SEN conference, will support councils to implement the changes, and comes after concerns were raised that some were struggling to be fully ready to meet the deadline.

Ann Gross, director of special needs and children’s services strategy at the Department for Education, has written to councils informing them of the funding. The letter reveals that local authorities will receive a share of £45.2m in 2014/15, with £31.7m set aside for 2015/16.

Gross has told local authorities that the funding can be used to pay for any costs incurred by implementing the changes, such as transferring children and young people with SEN from the statementing system to the new education, health and care plans (EHC).

She wrote: “Local authorities can spend this grant to help with the additional costs associated with the implementation of the SEN reforms.

“They may, however, choose how to spend the money in order to best meet local need.”

The letter reveals that the first round of funding will be paid in four instalments between August this year and February 2015.

A breakdown of the funding for 2014/15 reveals that the amount allocated varies substantially between local authorities. Kent County Council will receive the most funding – £1m – while the City of London and Isles of Scilly councils will receive just £25,000.