Some of the problems in the SEND sector could be resolved if significant capital funding was made available to enable all local authorities to expand their special school provision.
Currently, there are insufficient state special school places, which means local authorities are having to rely on expensive independent provision for those children with the greatest requirements whose needs cannot be met in mainstream school.
We believe capital funding should be fairly distributed to every local authority, so they can provide additional SEND provision in the way that best suits their needs. Councils understand the needs of the local area better than anyone else, so are best placed to decide how additional funding should be spent.
The current bidding system, where local authorities have to compete for additional capital SEND funding, is slow and costly, and many local authorities are unsuccessful. They waste valuable time and effort bidding for capital funding that never materialises.
If every local authority were to be provided with sufficient funding to build a new state special school, it would pay for itself in around three years.
A state specialist place saves around £30,000 a year compared to independent provision and saves considerably more for those pupils with the most complex needs.
It makes long-term financial sense to invest in capital projects in order to reduce expenditure on costly independent provision.
Capital funding in the mainstream sector
Lack of investment in buildings and new capital projects during recent years has left many school buildings in desperate need of repair.
Since 2010, there has been an 80% reduction in devolved formula capital distributed to local authorities for investment in school buildings. This is now beginning to take its toll on buildings, with school maintenance and improvements a last resort for the majority.
Many of the 234 schools at risk of crumbling due to the reinforced autoclaved aerated concrete crisis (RAAC) are also still awaiting repairs. While all have returned to face-to-face learning, many children are still being taught in marquees, portable classrooms, or off-site facilities.
Greater capital investment is required to ensure that our schools are safe, modern learning environments where children and young people can reach their potential.
f40 is campaigning for:
- Substantial one-off capital funding to expand state SEND provision, fairly distributed to every local authority, which know how best to match provision with local needs.
- Greater annual investment in mainstream capital projects to ensure schools are maintained to a high standard to ensure they are safe, modern environments for children to learn in.
