The BBC has uncovered a nearly £1 billion deficit in school funds for pupils with Special Educational Needs or Disabilities (Send) across councils in England. This deficit has accumulated to £3.2 billion since 2019, with indications it has worsened over the past year. Parent groups express concerns that children could suffer as councils face pressures to cut deficits amid rising demand and constrained budgets. The number of children with Education Health and Care Plans (EHCPs), legally requiring councils to meet their needs, has risen sharply, reflecting a broader challenge in adequately funding and supporting special educational needs and disabilities in England.
