SEND support could lead to £5 million Dudley Council overspend

Dudley Council is set to receive £253.03m from the Government's Dedicated School Grants for 2019/2020 but could be forced to fork out a total £258.18m due to growing demand.

It comes as the need for special schools, out of area placements and further funding for schools in the borough was increased.

Now council bosses look set to consider digging into their school-specific reserves to meet the cost, saying every youngster should have the opportunity to reach their "full potential".

The projected overspend is in the High Needs funding block – which supports students with special educational needs and disabilities (SEND) needs from their early years to age 25.

It was projected to cost £31.97m but will now cost £37.15m during this financial year, an overspend of £5.18m according to the council figures.

A report to Dudley Schools Forum, which will meet on Tuesday, said: "Main categories of expenditure creating pressures are out of area, special schools and exceptional funding to schools.

"The financial position will mean that the money has to work differently and coordinated.

“Additional funding from Government isn’t additional money in the system, it will only help mitigate the overspend."

Council chiefs have said SEND requires "significant investment" and are working to ensure effective services – and of their financial reserves.

Councillor Ruth Buttery, cabinet member for children and young people, said: “We believe that all children and young people in Dudley borough should have the opportunity to reach their full potential, which in the case of children with special educational needs requires significant investment and specialist provision.

“The council has identified SEND as one of the key priorities for Dudley, recognising the need to work with our partners to ensure effective services and support against a focus on efficient use of resources that meets the needs of children and young people.

"We are working with our families to listen to their voices.

“The Government has recognised that this is an issue nationally and recently announced an extra £2.6 billion for schools, both mainstream and special of which Dudley will have its share.”