To ask you to explain SEND funding and bankrupt councils to me?

[Myanna]

I've read a few articles like this one:

https://www.theguardian.com/education/2026/feb/05/send-costs-bankrupt-english-local-authorities

But I don't understand why the cost of funding SEND is so high that it's going to potentially/actually make most councils insolvent.

It's not like provision is generous or easy to get, from what I've read (I don't have a child who is supported).

Were these kids previously just not supported in any way by the state and was it left to families to cope as best they could?
Are these kids who previously wouldn't have survived, but now do because of better medical care and therefore need a lot of help?
Is this private equity running enterprises and charging huge amounts to local authorities?
Is it just inflation and the cost of employing people?

I really don't know much about this at all but I'm sure many on here do, so I'd really welcome your knowledge.

100% this, every word.

Only 5% of people with learning disabilities are in employment. This is despite the fact that most have benefitted from expensive state funded education. For some disabled people, they will always be economically dependent on the state.

It’s not the case for many SEN kids but for a lot of kids, it’s respite for the parents. Albeit very expensive respite.

Do you have the figures for how many individual children have education packages that are worth £1m per child?

I know how much ours costs, and it’s not that. Including the extra support staff.

Seconded.

In an ideal world there would be money for all, but we’re not living in an ideal world.

Education will look very different for some children but it is still very much education.

I am also in total agreement with Bargepole45

Agree. They should be receiving some form of respite of course, but I’ve seen very expensive 6 figure packages result in absolutely minimal progress - eg after a year they can put on socks, or point to something. I know it’s a very hard conversation but is that really sustainable.

What is your source of information for this claim? My source of information is that I was a SENCO for 22 years until recently. Average additional funding may be a few thousand pounds per pupil through school budgets and top-up funding. More specialised placements rarely approach £100,000, let alone £1 million.

No its about providing those children with life skills
It may seem like babysitting to you
But the staff in my sons school at least do an incredible job

https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/articles/c9v12dwddmwo

This is a ridiculous take.

Are we suggesting that the progress doesn’t count if it’s not going to get them to catch up? If they’re not meeting age related expectations, just don’t bother?

Progress is progress.

He said: "That cost clearly demonstrates, yet again, that local authorities are at the mercy of the private sector, and I am, time and again presented with cases where a local authority has secured provision that can cost anything between £12,000 and £20,000 per week.
"That is now a regular feature in this sort of case and the concern is that local authorities just cannot continue to fund places at that astronomical cost."

I can only go by own council which has said that if nothing is done, they would not be able to provide any support in future.

Is it cost effective? Would the money be better saved for future care as adults?

Not every disabled person has learning disabilities. I have disabliities and have worked full-time for decades.

So you have no source for the £1 million claim.

And said that they’re spending £1m per child on education packages, for “many” children.

That is really clearly not true.

Many do not have educational placements costing £1m pa.

The linked case isn’t an education placement.

So many people either intentionally or through ignorance don’t understand the difference.

Care that they’ll require less of, because the school they went to gave them valuable skills that make them more able to life independent lives.

"There are many children on £1 million + per annum packages, it’s just not sustainable long term."

That's not true. £1 million packages are rare .
My son would require at least 3:1 in a residential school ( as he does now in supported living) and even that wouldn't be £1 million.

Not really
Yes there are residential schools which cost an eye watering amount but contrary to what many posters on here beleive they are only offered as a very last resort when all else has failed
My sons special school is an LA school and costs no where near the figures you are quoting.

But then you are capable and wouldn't have required SEN funding?

It’s not all about cost. Although, as we are talking about cost, many children with SEND whose parent/s simply cannot cope would go into care without school places, and the cost of full-time care is astronomical.

They told you this did they ?