(UK) Derbys: SPED failures cost taxpayers over $104K in past year

Oct 13, 2026, SEND children failed by Derbyshire County Council cost taxpayers more than £79,000 in the past year - with £20,000 owed to 1 family

The failed support of dozens of children with special educational needs has cost Derbyshire taxpayers more than £79,000 [$104K] in the past year alone – with £20,000 owed to one family.

An annual report compiling Derbyshire County Council’s handling of Local Government and Social Care Ombudsman complaints has highlighted the authority’s continued significant shortfalls involving special educational needs provision.

This is a “top” priority of the Reform UK administration, which detailed in full council last week that it is now responsible for more than 10,000 education, health and care plans (EHC Plans), which are legal documents outlining the support a child is entitled to.

Most, but not all, of the cases involve failures from before Reform’s time in office, under the Conservatives, but all the decisions were issued under the current administration.