0.5% Transfer – Update for Schools

The Secretary of State has approved the 0.5% transfer from the Devon Schools Block to the High Needs Block for 2026/27.

Whist this transfer was voted against at the Devon Education Forum, the Department for Education (DfE) has now officially overridden the decision taken locally. Devon County Council (DCC) believe that this transfer is vital to protect DCC’s High Needs financial strategy, which remains under significant strain.

The Safety Valve programme for local authorities with very high SEND deficits including Devon ended in February 2026, but the Council continues to face a growing EHCP demand against a backdrop of underfunding for SEND nationally.

Last month the Government announced a national programme to write off 90% of all local authorities’ historic SEND deficits (those accrued to the end of 2025/26) including for Devon, but even with the national write‑off, local financial responsibility remains substantial.

Would you like to be involved in the work of the Devon Education Forum (DEF) and be part of the discussions around funding for all of the schools in Devon?  If you would be interested in joining DEF, then please contact [email protected] for more details.