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.

There's more than one kind of disability requiring a huge amount of support you know?

I never suggested they did. My point is though that there are some disabled children that realistically will never work despite the immense investment the state makes in their education. You can argue that they learn skills that will lessen the care bill over time but in my experience that often isn't true either. I have a relative with learning disabilities and none of their peers from college are in meaningful employment. They were never going to be. Many still need pretty much FT care and need assistance with all of life's main responsibilities.

I didn’t say they form the majority of cases, but they are increasing.

The SEND cost has increased by £10 billion in 10 years.

The cost for transport for SEND pupils has gone up to £1.5 billion per annum.

By including these children now in our society, by allowing them access to education and opportunities, they’re less likely to end up in prison, won’t need as much support as adults and, most importantly, will feel included!

these are children. Why are we even discussing sidelining and taking their rights away?

Do you think all disability is cognitive? 😂

Jesus wept.

Wheelchairs aren’t free. Home adaptations aren’t free. Personal care staff aren’t free. Hoists. Pads. Adaptations for hearing or visual impairment.

You could need any one of those things and not have a cognitive impairment.

That’s correct. However, I know many adults who required SEN funding as children and now hold down full-time jobs. There are student nurses, teachers, doctors, paramedics and lawyers in universities now who receive SEN funding to help with their courses.

Just because someone doesn’t have a learning disability and goes on to work doesn’t mean they don’t need SEN support as a CYP.

Eh? I’m reading their published report.

Great. Show us the bit that says educating SENd children costs £1m per child.

Must be there in black and white, right?

Yes @nomas - let’s see the screenshots.

Why should SEN receive free glasses and hearing aids. Everyone else pays for them.

Yep.

My son doesn't have a learning disability but is physically disabled and has an EHCP including 2:1 support.

We also live in social housing because it is adapted for his needs.

Lots of people on certain benefits dont.

Children don’t pay for hearing aids, and can get free glasses. Can you fact check yourself before you post.

Schools however do pay for BSL trained support staff, for example. Which they would need.

Do we really need to itemise every cost of every disability so you can incorrectly say they’re wrong?

Are you sure about that those things? We currently have a very expensive SEN system that arguably we can't afford and yet still children with learning disabilities are ten times more likely to be youth offenders than their peers. Employment rates are terrible for some groups (5% for those with learning disabilities) and all costs associated with adult disability are sky rocketing. This strongly suggests that the current system isn't allowing people to live more independently as more people are struggling to do this than ever.

The inclusion point I can talk on specifically with my relative. What does inclusion look like in society? My relative will never drive, live independently or have a family. His specialist education provision promoted disability rights and 'independence' but what happens if this will never be on the cards for you? Aware enough to know you're missing out, time wasted on employment skills when you realistically will never be employed and building unrealistic expectations for disabled people that are thoroughly crushed when their limitations mean none of their aspirations are possible. You end up with a very bitter and angry person. It's is very very hard. What seems kind and empowering when someone is young can seem cruel and manipulative when they have to face reality as an adult.

They shouldn't get them free either.

If everyone paid for glasses and hearing aids we have made a start in saving money so that wheelchairs and hoists can be provided for free.

People with SEN.
My child (who doesn’t have SEN) had free NHS glasses from the age of 3.
Let me think 🤔 so they can see and hear?

In England, children are entitled to free NHS support for both eyesight and hearing: all children under 16 (and under 19 if in full-time education) can have free NHS eye tests, and if glasses are needed they receive an NHS optical voucher which often covers the full cost of a basic pair of children’s glasses, with help also available for repairs or replacements if they’re broken or lost.

Hearing aids for children are provided free of charge by the NHS on a long-term loan basis following an assessment, including fitting, batteries, maintenance and follow-up care, so there is no cost to families for essential hearing support.

Having SEN doesn’t mean people receive free glasses and hearing aids.

All children receive free glasses (within the NHS offering. Parents can pay for more expensive glasses or services e.g. thinning of lenses) and hearing aids.

Don’t let facts get in the way of your frothing.

How are people on benefits supposed to find work if they can’t read application forms or hear the questions at a job interview?

As harsh as it sounds it’s only sustainable if the difference made is such that they need significantly less care later on. The cases I have seen, that has not been the case - the progress is fairly minimal and definitely not to a degree it’ll make significant savings later on.

I have to say “why should people be able to see” is not usually on the bingo card.

Wheelchairs are provided for free for children as are glasses and hearing aids. All essential aids should be covered for children so no children are without wheelchairs or hearing aids due to parents not able to afford them.

What do you suggest for these children instead of education? The return of the workhouse?

What is the other solution, if you would recommend withdrawing care?

You could argue that we should look after our own children into adulthood, and not rely on the state. Many of us will. But frankly I will die one day, and where do they go then?

I didn’t say all kids costs £1m pa.

But the cost is going up per child, including kids that are on £1m packages.

Hence the £10 billion increase in 10 years.