(UK) Stoke: $30M SPED debt, expected to be $52M by next year

Aug 17, 2025, StokeOnTrentLive: Council plan for more special needs pupils in mainstream Stoke-on-Trent schools

https://www.stokesentinel.co.uk/news/stoke-on-trent-news/more-special-needs-pupils-stay-10368687?int_source=amp_continue_reading&int_medium=amp&int_campaign=continue_reading_button#amp-readmore-target 

More children with special needs will be supported to stay in mainstream schools - as a council aims to bring down a multi-million pound overspend. Stoke-on-Trent City Council currently has a £22.4 million [$30M] cumulative deficit on its dedicated schools grant (DSG), a figure which is expected to rise to £38.8 million [$52M] by the end of 2025/26.

The overspend is being driven by a rapid increase in the number of children with special educational needs or disabilities (SEND) - a national issue affecting most local authorities in England. In Stoke-on-Trent, the number of children with education, health and care plans (EHCPs) has increased from 2,390 in 2021 to 3,472 this year.

Many SEND children go to costly private schools, with 34 per cent of youngsters with EHCPs in Stoke-on-Trent attending mainstream schools, compared to 40 per cent nationally.

The city council previously received additional government funding to help it reduce its overspend, but this 'safety valve' arrangement has come to an end.

Council leaders have now agreed a plan to tackle the issue, involving a move to a new 'cluster funding' model. This will see some SEND funding diverted to groups of schools across the city, which will work together to provide support to children with SEND at the earliest opportunity, without the need for a EHCP.

The hope is that this will allow more children to remain in mainstream education.

Councillor Sarah Jane Colclough, cabinet member for children's services, said: "Many authorities in England, including ourselves, have DSG deficits. There are issues nationally in this area. That comes from the growing numbers in recent years of children with SEND.

"The new cluster model promotes an holistic approach to SEND, supporting collaboration among schools and services. That will enable better outcomes for children, and allow more children to remain in mainstream schools.

"Parents and carers will get the confidence that their children will be getting their needs met locally, collaboratively by the best educational setting in their community."