DEF approves transfer of funds from schools to High Needs

At the Devon Education Forum (DEF) on 26 January 2024 the Forum considered Devon County Council (DCC) Officer reports and the autumn 2023 school consultation responses relating to a transfer of funds intended for schools to High Needs funding to support the plans to reduce the significant SEND deficit with the Devon local authority.

DEF had discussed this proposal at its meeting on 22 November 2023 and it was agreed that further information was required on what the funding would be specifically used for, therefore the decision was deferred until the January 2024 meeting.

DCC had revised its initial proposal to transfer 0.5% (£2.6 million) from school funding and now requested a 0.25% (£1.3 million) transfer, to ‘pump prime’ early help work. The impact of this funding will be managed as part of ‘safety valve’ funding monitored by the DfE. The Council made it clear that unlike other authorities, it will not seek to apply the funds transferred in 2024/25 to the ‘bottom line’ to address the deficit, but will reinvest in support for schools to improve the SEND system.

Headteachers and governance members noted that this was a very hard decision to make as schools felt they were unable to afford this and it would affect the service they offer. Whilst members of DEF were supportive of the SEND transformation programme and committed to partnership working, they wished the message passed on to the DfE that there just isn’t enough money in the system.

Following detailed discussion the final decision noted the consultation responses  following the Autumn 2023 schools consultation, but approved the transfer of 0.25% (£1.3 million) from schools funding to the High Needs funding block for 2024-25, to support the ‘Safety Valve’ plans to manage the high needs funding sustainably and meet the needs of children and young people.

DCC is hoping to get a grant of £80 million towards the county’s special educational needs (SEND) £165 million overspend as part of the government’s ‘safety valve’ support scheme, aimed at helping local authorities tackle SEND deficits.