nasen responds to the Autumn Statement

nasen has welcomed news of the funding allocations for local authorities for next year, which has come as part of today’s Autumn Statement, and which – for the first time in over a decade – includes an uplift in funding for specialist schools and settings. 

For the next two years, schools will benefit from a £2 billion funding boost – a move that puts funding per pupil place at its highest ever level. Special schools and alternative provision receive an average 3.4 per cent per place increase in their funding in 2023-24, as a result of the additional funding, while funding for children and young people with complex special educational needs and disabilities (SEND) will increase by almost £1 billion – a 10.6 per cent increase compared to this year.

Annamarie Hassall, Chief Executive of nasen, said “We warmly welcome any additional financial support that is offered to the education sector, and we are particularly pleased that for the first time in over a decade, specialist settings are set to benefit from the same increase in funding as our colleagues in the mainstream sector.”

“While we’re relieved to see this move, this is long overdue. The uplift is a welcome boost to overstretched budgets for schools, but we must recognise that it is not inflation busting, nor does the increase extend to further education

“Costs continue to rise around us,  budgets are stretched beyond their limits. Although everyone is facing into these challenges, specialist settings are being hit especially hard – not least because the cost of heating and running specialist provision for our most vulnerable children and young people is higher than in other parts of the sector.”

Annamarie, who also Chairs the National SEND Reference Group went on to say “The recognition and inclusion of specialist settings in the funding allocations shows that the government is listening. It’s reassuring to see our concerns acknowledged, and while there’s still room for more improvement, we’re moving in the right direction.”

More details of the funding announced in the Autumn Statement can be found on the Department for Education website here: Thousands of children to benefit from schools fit for the future - GOV.UK (www.gov.uk) 

To read the detailed methodology behind the Dedicated schools grant, please follow this link: Detailed methodology.