Agenda item

Emma Ferrey introduced the report (Agenda Item 14), which set out the current financial position of the high needs budget for 2025/26 and the position as far as it could be predicted for 2026/27, including the likely shortfall. Emma Ferrey explained that it provided an overview of the ongoing strategy to reduce pressure on the High Needs Block. She noted that whilst an overspend was still projected for 2026/27, the rate of increase had reduced significantly compared with previous years when in?year overspends had nearly doubled annually. Emma Ferrey attributed this improvement to the Delivering Better Value (DBV) programme and to strengthened central services. She outlined the range of work underway, including the creation of sufficient specialist places, increased early intervention and prevention, and greater support for mainstream settings. She confirmed, however, that the budget remained some distance from being brought into balance.

Rebecca Hartley commented that the proposals did not specifically reference pressures on small schools, which she felt were disproportionately affected by the costs of meeting additional needs due to limited space, resources and specialist expertise. She highlighted that parents often chose small schools for children with SEND without realising that provision could be more costly to deliver. Emma Ferrey acknowledged this issue and confirmed that, as part of the new banding model, this would be reviewed annually to ensure disparities were identified and addressed.

Rebecca Hartley further questioned the extent to which education services were covering needs that should sit within health. She expressed concern that schools were increasingly taking on responsibilities that had historically been funded by health services. Emma Ferrey agreed that this was an area requiring attention and confirmed she had raised it with the Executive Director. It was noted that some needs currently treated as educational might more appropriately fall under social care or health, and that the restructuring of Integrated Care Boards created uncertainty. Emma Ferrey added that health, including public health, should be held to account for its responsibilities, and she hoped upcoming national policy statements would reinforce shared accountability across agencies.

Councillor Iain Cottingham referred to data in Table 4.1 of the report and observed that West Berkshire’s percentage increase in demand since 2019 appeared higher than the national trend. He asked what might be driving this increase, given the associated budget pressures. Emma Ferrey said there was no single explanation but outlined several contributing factors. These included insufficient funding for SEND Support within schools and a significant increase for EHCPs from parents, due to the additional resources associated. It was noted that there were incentives, but these were counterproductive in some cases.

Revered Mark Bennet raised concerns about the impact on small schools of any standard baseline expectations for SEND provision. He felt such developments could place significant strain on small settings, many of which were church schools, and asked for ongoing dialogue with the Diocese on this. Emma Ferrey confirmed that both she and the Service Director for Education would welcome continued engagement with the Oxford Diocese to understand pressures and support schools appropriately.

Chris Prosser asked whether Castle at Theale was at full capacity. Emma Ferrey believed the school was operating at capacity, though she noted there might be one remaining allocation panel. She added that the number of special school places was increasing and that demand for specialist places remained high.

Councillor Cottingham sought clarification on whether the sufficiency strategy referenced in the report related to place planning across the authority. Emma Ferrey explained that the strategy had formed part of the DBV programme and had originally covered 2024/25. She noted that updated SEN projection data was now available and that she and colleagues were working with schools to consider potential additional provision. Work was planned to update the sufficiency strategy for 2026/27.

The Chair thanked members for their questions and Emma Ferrey for her detailed responses.

RESOLVED that the Schools’ Forum noted the report.