The financial pressure on Wokingham Borough Council is mounting due to the escalating costs of providing education for children with special needs.
Wokingham Borough Council is facing mounting financial pressure due to rising costs of education for children with special needs. This year, nearly £9.7 million is projected for teaching children with special educational needs and disabilities (SEND) across Wokingham, Woodley, Earley, and nearby villages.
The council is tasked with creating Education Health and Care Plans (EHCPs) that outline necessary support for these children. An additional £3 million is spent annually on transport for SEND pupils to schools or alternative education.
With increasing demand and costs, officials predict an overspend in the 2025/26 budget. This issue was discussed at a community and corporate overview committee meeting on October 6. Chief Executive Susan Parsonage noted that councils can’t manage alone and often have to turn to private education services.
Parsonage explained, “Parents have lost trust in what can be delivered regarding SEND. The number of EHCPs has skyrocketed, but local resources haven’t kept pace, leading to greater reliance on expensive independent providers.”
Councillor Marie-Louise Weighill added that the financial situation is dire, stating, “There is this structural nightmarish financial situation where the deficit continues to grow.”
Currently, there are only three dedicated SEND schools in Wokingham: Addington School, the Chiltern Way Academy, and Oak Tree School. Plans for two new SEND schools have been delayed, adding to the financial strain. Parsonage remarked, “The two new SEND schools would have made a significant difference, but their future remains uncertain.”
The committee will continue to monitor the council’s budget, with the exact overspend on SEND education to be revealed after March next year.
James Aldridge, Local Democracy Reporter
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