Devon receives ‘safety valve’ grant

The Department for Education has just released the latest dedicated schools grant very high deficit intervention guidance and Devon Local Authority is now part of the ‘safety valve’ scheme to reduce the deficit driven by SEND demand.

The grant follows high needs reforms and savings targets agreed for local authorities with the highest dedicated school grant deficits. Devon Local Authority undertakes to reach a positive in-year balance on its Dedicated Schools Grant (DSG) account by the end of 2026-27 and in each subsequent year.

The Department has now agreed to pay to the authority an additional £38.00 million of DSG before the end of the financial year 2023-24. In subsequent financial years, subject to compliance with the conditions set, the Department will pay further reducing DSG sums bringing the total grant to just under £95.00 million. This funding will be provided in instalments and subject to continued satisfactory progress. Subject to full compliance, Devon County Council should therefore eliminate their cumulative deficit no later than 2031-32.

So far 38 local authorities have received a ‘safety valve’ grant, with the grant to Devon Local Authority being the third biggest.