Contact CEO calls for realism in SEN reforms
2 mins read
Friday 28 November 2025
This applies in England only.
Since the Chancellor presented her Budget on Wednesday, talk in some quarters has turned to how the government plans to offset a significant special educational needs (SEN) deficit in England.
The government announced that it will absorb SEN costs into central government department spending from 2028, removing them from local authorities. But the office for budget responsibility (OBR) has estimated that this will cost the government £6billion.
The Department for Education has confirmed that it will not fund this deficit from the core schools budget. Instead, it says the OBR’s forecast does not take into account the forthcoming Schools White Paper, expected early next year. The White Paper will set out this government’s reforms to the SEN system.
Contact is concerned that using the Schools White Paper to plug a £6billion spending gap risks prioritising savings over ensuring successful, long-lasting reforms.
Contact CEO and Chair of the Disabled Children’s Partnership told the BBC:
“We’re pleased the government is taking steps to address the local council funding deficits. We await the detail in the upcoming Local Government Finance Settlement.
“However, there is a lack of clarity about how these costs will be met. We are concerned that the government is unrealistic about the amount of time it will take to turn around the SEN system.
“The right reforms will deliver better value for money and, in the longer term, may deliver savings. But is is premature to bank on these savings before they have even finalised their plans.”
Disabled Children’s Partnership publish early intervention report
The Disabled Children’s Partnership and the Speech, Language and Communication Alliance have published a report today showing the economic benefits of acting quickly to provide support for speech and learning challenges.
You can email the Chancellor Rachel Reeves calling on her to implement the report’s recommendations.
