(UK) Herts: Special ed plans increasing at 'unsustainable rate'

Feb 10, 2026, Hemel Today:  Hertfordshire councillor warns that special education plans are increasing at 'unsustainable rate'

https://www.hemeltoday.co.uk/education/hertfordshire-councillor-warns-that-special-education-plans-are-increasing-at-unsustainable-rate-5514841    

The Government needs “a more streamlined approach” to SEND, says a Herts county councillor, as the number of children needing education, health and care plans (EHCPs) “is going up at an unsustainable rate” nationally.

Cllr Chris Lloyd (Lib Dem, Croxley) made the comment at the authority’s education, SEND and inclusion cabinet panel as it discussed its children’s services budget, with much of the discussion overshadowed by looming reforms to SEND.

Members were told that the local authority has earmarked over £300 million for children’s services this year.

Figures show that of the £1.2 billion [$1.6B] set aside by Hertfordshire County Council for frontline services in the 2026/27 budget, just over a quarter (£309 million) [$422M] will go to children’s services.

Adult care services account for the largest share of spending, with £563 million [$768M], while £133 million will finance growth and the environment, and £123 million will go towards community protection. A further £102 million will be spent on resources.

Meanwhile, councillors and officers are waiting for the Government to publish its long-awaited White Paper setting out planned SEND reforms for new legislation, expected in the coming weeks.

A report submitted to the committee panel on Friday, January 30, stated: “To support our children and young people to feel happy, healthy and safe at home, in school and in their communities, we will spend £309 million [$422M] on our children’s services. This makes up over a quarter of our budget.”

Delivery of frontline services will increase by £32 million. Of this, £6.3 million is being spent on improving SEND outcomes, plus £3.5 million on transport for SEND children. Elsewhere, £16 million is being spent on children in care homes and with disabilities, and £1 million will go towards fostering allowances.

Meanwhile, £140 million [$191M] in capital investment over four years will aim to deliver an extra 1,150 specialist SEND places across mainstream and special schools. . . .

 “A new area of additional investment of £140 million over this four-year plan is looking to expand facilities for children with SEND, so that they can learn in an environment that best meets their needs as close to home as possible, and this is looking to put provision across mainstream and special schools.” . . .