The Wandsworth Schools Forum was scheduled to discuss the Dedicated Schools Grant (DSG) outturn for the financial year 2025-26, the government's Special Educational Needs and Disabilities (SEND) reforms and the associated High Needs Stability Grant, and an update on the Emotionally Based School Non-Attendance (EBSNA) Outreach programme. The meeting also included a review of the forward plan and future meeting dates.

Dedicated Schools Grant (DSG) Outturn - FY 2025-26

The forum was scheduled to consider the Dedicated Schools Grant (DSG) outturn for the financial year 2025-26. A report indicated an overall overspend of £11.767m for the year, primarily driven by an overspend of £16.882m in the High Needs Block (HNB). This was partially offset by underspends in the Early Years Block (£4.311m) and the Schools Block (£0.804m). The cumulative reserve balance at the end of FY 2025-26 was projected to be a deficit of £32.972m. The report detailed that the HNB overspends were largely attributed to increased demand for Education, Health and Care Plans (EHCPs), rising costs of high needs placements and services, and a funding envelope that had not kept pace with these factors. Specifically, independent school placements saw a significant increase in expenditure of £3.270m, driven by inflationary price increases, increased severity of needs, and a growing number of children placed in independent provision. The average cost for an independent provision had risen by 46% since FY 2020-21. Conversely, the Early Years Block showed an underspend due to lower hours paid out compared to the budget, and the Schools Block had an underspend due to the closure of Goldfinch Primary School.

SEND Reforms - High Needs Stability Grant

The meeting was scheduled to receive a report outlining the government's proposed reforms to the Special Educational Needs and Disabilities (SEND) system and the associated High Needs Stability Grant. The reforms aim to address challenges such as rising demand for statutory assessments and financial pressures on high needs budgets, proposing a layered model of support to reduce reliance on EHCPs. A key element is the Experts at Hand offer, designed to provide mainstream settings with timely multidisciplinary specialist advice. The High Needs Stability Grant is intended to write off 90% of historic high needs DSG deficits accumulated up to the end of FY 2025-26, conditional on local authorities submitting an approved Local SEND Reform Plan. Wandsworth was noted as being in a relatively strong position compared to many other local authorities, with well-developed services and established governance arrangements, though still facing rising demand and financial pressures. The report indicated that local authorities were required to submit their Local SEND Reform Plans by June 2026, with the Stability Grant expected in Autumn 2026, subject to approval.

Emotionally Based School Non-Attendance (EBSNA) Outreach

An updated report on the Emotionally Based School Non-Attendance (EBSNA) Outreach programme was scheduled for discussion. The report highlighted that EBSNA remains a significant factor driving demand for statutory assessments, specialist placements, and high needs expenditure. The programme, which had received funding for a pilot phase, operates through four strands: guidance and resources, training and consultancy, strategic oversight and outreach support, and intensive provision for complex cases. The report detailed the delivery update for the outreach programme, including staffing, programme development, referral and triage processes, and direct support outcomes. It noted that demand had consistently been for pupils with extremely low or 0% attendance, a higher level of need than initially anticipated, requiring more intensive and longer support. The report also covered training delivered to school staff and other professionals, with consistently strong feedback and reported increases in confidence. The projected costs for Year 2 of the programme were also outlined, with an aim to reduce EHCPs for EBSNA-related needs and reduce reliance on independent specialist provision, potentially leading to significant cost avoidance.

Forward Plan

The Schools Forum was scheduled to note items to be brought to the June meeting, including Responsive Support Officer and Schools Balances.

Future Meeting Dates

The scheduled dates for the remainder of the Schools Forum meetings in 2026 were to be noted: 6th July, 5th October, and 30th November.