The government’s decision-making over special educational needs and disabilities (SEND) funding will be scrutinised at the High Court this week, as new analysis reveals more than 8,000 children are going without education. The judicial review case involves a claim by three families that the government has failed to increase funding for high needs in line with rising demand. It is the first time the government has been challenged in court over its funding of SEND services. The funding gap – estimated to be £800m this year, rising to £1.6bn by 2021 – has left councils across the country unable to meet their statutory obligations to children who need extra educational support, the families claim.
Further details are available here.