Special Needs Inclusion: A Necessity, Not Just About Finances
A Guardian investigation has revealed the financial crisis looming over English councils due to the previous government’s decision to temporarily hide special needs overspending. In just a year, £5.2bn of debt will resurface on balance sheets, pushing at least 18 councils toward insolvency. With thousands of children waiting years for autism assessments and suitable placements, the system is failing families when they need it most.
At the heart of the issue is a growing mismatch between the rising need for special education and the funding available. High-needs spending has increased by 59% over the past decade, yet schools are under immense strain. Cuts to teaching assistants, a rigid curriculum, and the prioritization of exam results have left many children without the support they require. Meanwhile, independent special schools, costing councils up to £61,500 per child annually, are swallowing a significant share of public funds.
While the government is expected to push for greater inclusion in mainstream schools, Labour’s Bridget Phillipson must ensure this isn’t just a cost-cutting measure. Supporting neurodiverse children should never be framed as a burden. A deeper examination of the education system is needed, one that acknowledges the real struggles faced by families, schools, and councils alike.
Letting councils go bankrupt is not an option. But neither is ignoring the root cause of this crisis. If special needs provision requires reform, so does the wider education system, where too many children are left behind.