The Kingston Schools Forum met on Monday 26 January 2026 to discuss the financial outlook for the 2025/26 and 2026/27 academic years, with a significant focus on the High Needs Block and Early Years funding. Key decisions included noting the projected overspend in the High Needs Block for 2025/26 and agreeing to proposed budget allocations and funding rates for the 2026/27 academic year, including adjustments to early years funding. The Forum also received updates on the SEND Futures Plan and the progress of various workstreams aimed at improving SEND services and financial sustainability.

2025/26 Finance Update

The Forum received an update on the Dedicated Schools Grant (DSG) for the 2025/26 financial year. A projected overspend of £12.760m was highlighted, primarily driven by a significant increase in the High Needs Block, which is forecast to spend £48.250m against a budget of £35.352m. This overspend is attributed to rising costs for special school places, top-up funding for pupils with Education, Health and Care Plans (EHCPs), and independent placements. While the Schools Block and Early Years Block were projected to be on budget or underspend, the overall financial position indicated considerable pressure on high needs provision. The report noted that the number of EHCPs had increased by 145 since March 2025.

2026/27 Budget and Early Years Consultation

The indicative allocation for the 2026/27 Dedicated Schools Grant (DSG) was presented, totalling £219.200m, an increase of £11.962m compared to the previous year. This increase includes the roll-in of previously separate grants, such as the Schools Budget Support Grant and National Insurance Contributions Grant.

The Schools Block allocation for 2026/27 is £147.928m, representing a 3.05% increase. The report detailed proposed funding factor rates for the local formula, which will be used to set individual school budgets. De-delegated items for maintained schools, such as behaviour support and safeguarding training, were also confirmed with their per-pupil rates.

The Central School Services Block (CSSB) allocation for 2026/27 is £1.080m, a slight decrease from the previous year. Several services within the CSSB saw proposed budget revisions, requiring Forum approval.

The High Needs Block allocation for 2026/27 is £37.213m. Despite this allocation, the report highlighted ongoing financial pressures, with an anticipated cumulative deficit of up to £19m by March 2026. The suspension of the high needs national funding formula for 2026/27 means allocations will be based on 2025/26 figures with adjustments. The report also mentioned the upcoming transfer of responsibility for high needs funding to the Department for Education from April 2028 and the ongoing challenge of addressing historic deficits.

The Early Years Block allocation for 2026/27 is £32.979m, a significant increase of 17.7% from the previous year. This rise is attributed to inflationary pressures and the incorporation of previously separate grant funding. The report detailed proposed hourly funding rates for three and four-year-olds, two-year-olds, and under-twos, with increases recommended across all age groups to ensure a high percentage of funding is passed directly to providers. The minimum pass-through rate to providers will increase to 97%. The SEND Inclusion Fund remains at £0.662m.

2026/27 Consultation Decision

The Forum discussed the proposed dates and information requirements for the 2026/27 consultations. Three consultations are planned: one in September focusing on de-delegation, block transfers, and CSSB items; a second in October for funding formula decisions and other items; and a third in January for Early Years rates and budgets. The Forum also considered different voting mechanisms, including whether each school should have one vote, or if academy trusts should also receive a vote, and how votes should be weighted.

SEND Futures Plan Update

An update was provided on Kingston's SEND Futures Plan, which aims to improve outcomes for children and young people with SEND and enhance the financial sustainability of the system. The Forum noted progress against the Safety Valve Agreement, which concludes in March 2026, and the implementation of the SEND Futures Plan.

Key developments include the launch of the Ordinarily Available Provision (OAP) document for Early Years and the development of a parent's guide. The Kingston Cluster Pilot, focused on early intervention for emerging needs, is progressing with approved funding for nurture provision, Occupational Therapy, and Speech and Language Therapy screening.

Areas of concern highlighted include the continued increase in requests for EHCP needs assessments and the challenge of finding suitable sites for Alternative Provision. The report also noted the transfer of the Emotional Health Service Cluster Teams and Neurodevelopmental Assessment Service to a new NHS provider.

Progress is being made on developing specialist resource provisions (SRPs) for pupils with Autism at Richard Challoner Catholic Secondary School and The Kingston Academy, with potential contributions from the Cullum Foundation. However, wait times for autism assessments are increasing, and no suitable sites have yet been identified for a post-16 SEND campus.

The digital EHCP template on LiquidLogic is now live, and improvements are being made to digital tools for transitions between children's and adult services. Recruitment is underway for new posts within the Independent Travel Team. A concern remains regarding decision-making for Continuing Healthcare at the ICB level, which is impacting provision for young people.

The report also detailed the projected DSG for the 2025/26 financial year, reiterating the significant overspend in the High Needs Block.