Bedford Borough Council’s budget for children with special educational needs and disabilities (SEND) is forecast to remain in deficit next year, despite a headline increase in government funding.
A report presented to the Bedford Schools’ Forum on Monday (12 January) shows the High Needs Block of the Dedicated Schools Grant will rise to £42.273 million in 2026/27.
However, once funding for academy and specialist school places is deducted, the council will have £33.083 million available to spend locally.
But forum members were warned that the funding rise will not keep pace with growing demand.
Chris Morris, service director for education, SEND and schools infrastructure, said. “If we take the anticipated growth to next year’s high needs budget, based on forecast, based on previous years, then the anticipated growth is somewhere around £2.3 million.
“Which is already higher than the £2.1 million of increased funding that we’ll be receiving.”
He added that even the reported funding increase is smaller than it appears: “That £2.126 million of additional funding in real terms is actually £562,000 more funding. To put it another way, one per cent, and that is before any expected growth.”
Questions over impact
The High Needs budget is already forecast to overspend by £1.729 million in the current financial year, according to the report presented to the Forum.
Mr Morris said: “We would definitely be having to set a deficit budget for next year. The challenge would then be how big a deficit we are looking at setting for next year.
“We’re not looking at reducing the direct support for children or young people who need it, and what was set out in EHCP [Education, Health and Care Plan].
“That is absolutely clear.”
Mr Morris added that conversations around levels of increases of top-up funding, including whether it is possible to increase that in line with inflation.
“And if we don’t, what would be the impact?” he said.
The report warned this creates “a challenge of achieving financial sustainability within the High Needs Block”, with further budget modelling underway and a High Needs budget, alongside a deficit recovery plan, due to be presented to the Schools’ Forum next month.
By John Guinn
Local Democracy Reporter
