The Schools Forum meeting scheduled for Thursday 26 February 2026 was set to discuss the financial allocations for the Dedicated Schools Grant (DSG) for the 2026-27 academic year, with a particular focus on the High Needs Block (HNB) and the Early Years (EY) Block. A significant portion of the discussion was also dedicated to the ongoing deficit management plan for the HNB, addressing the growing financial pressures within the Special Educational Needs and Disability (SEND) system.

DSG High Needs Block Budgets 2026-27

The meeting was scheduled to consider the detailed High Needs Block (HNB) budgets for adoption in the 2026-27 academic year. This report informed the Schools Forum of the proposed budget allocations for the HNB, which forms part of the Dedicated Schools Grant (DSG). The HNB is crucial for funding services for children and young people with higher needs, including those with special educational needs and disabilities (SEND). The report indicated that the Department for Education (DfE) had confirmed Brent's HNB funding for 2026/27 at £95.3 million, an increase of £4.3 million from the previous year. However, it was noted that this increase was less than the rise in demand for SEND support, particularly the increasing number of Education, Health, and Care Plans (EHCPs).

A key point of discussion was the proposed discontinuation of the 0.5% transfer from the Schools Block to the HNB, a measure previously agreed to help address the HNB deficit. This change was proposed to align with the government's directive to move towards the National Funding Formula (NFF) and because schools were reportedly unable to sustain this transfer. The report also detailed how the funding formula for mainstream schools would be adjusted, with a significant portion of additional pupil-led funding allocated through the Age Weighted Pupil Unit (AWPU) and targeted at schools with high deprivation and a large number of pupils with English as an Additional Language (EAL).

The report highlighted that the Minimum Funding Guarantee (MFG) threshold for 2026/27 was set at 0%, meaning per-pupil funding rates would remain the same as the previous year at a minimum. It also outlined the proposed de-delegation arrangements for maintained schools, which included adjustments to budgets for supporting schools in financial difficulty, free school meals eligibility checking, and staff-related costs such as maternity and paternity supply cover and trade union facility time.

The Mayor's commitment to continue the universal Free School Meals scheme for state-funded primary schools was also noted, with funding allocated based on school census data.

DSG Deficit Management Plan February 2026

This report provided an update on the progress of the DSG Management Plan, which aims to reduce expenditure within the High Needs Block (HNB) to a sustainable level. The report indicated that the cumulative DSG deficit was forecast to reach £18.4 million by the end of the 2025/26 financial year, driven primarily by the rising number of EHCPs without a corresponding increase in HNB funding. The report detailed the year-on-year increase in EHCPs in Brent, noting a national trend of growing demand for SEND support.

The report also referenced the upcoming Schools White Paper and SEND reforms, which are expected to outline new policy frameworks and funding arrangements. In the interim, Brent was continuing to implement its HNB Management Plan, which included strategies such as improving the sufficiency of local special school places, developing Brent's SEND support offer, and enhancing oversight of individual EHCPs. The plan detailed a Phase 2 capital programme aimed at delivering additional SEND places and highlighted potential cost avoidance measures.

The financial considerations section of the report noted that a statutory override allows local authorities to hold deficit balances against their DSG budgets, an arrangement extended to 2028. The government had confirmed that grant funding would be allocated to cover 90% of accumulated SEND deficits up to March 2026, subject to an agreed local SEND Reform Plan. However, the report projected a significant in-year overspend for 2026/27, which could lead to a cumulative deficit of £16.7 million by March 2027, even with the proposed grant funding. The report warned that without further government support, the cumulative deficit could rise substantially by March 2028.

Early Years Block Budgets 2026/27

The meeting was also scheduled to review the DSG Early Years' (EY) Block funding for Brent for the 2026/27 academic year. The report sought endorsement of the local EY Funding Formula for this period. It was noted that the EY Block funding for Brent was set to increase by 12.9% from the previous year, reaching £45.4 million. The report detailed proposed updates to the Early Years National Funding Formula (EYNFF), including adjustments to the universal base rate for 3 and 4-year-old funding, a reduction in the deprivation supplement, and revised base rates for 2-year-old entitlements.

The report also outlined the allocation for the Special Educational Needs Inclusion Fund (SENIF) and the introduction of a contingency fund to manage fluctuations in entitlement take-up. A key point was the requirement for local authorities to announce their funding rates to childcare providers by 28 February 2026, a statutory deadline.

Other Business

Under Any Other Urgent Business, the agenda indicated that an issue raised by Lucy Cox regarding Family Friendly Policies within schools would be discussed as part of the NEU's regular meeting with Shirley Parks, Director of Education, Partnerships and Strategy. Additionally, Shirley Parks was expected to introduce Gareth Drawmer as Brent Council's newly appointed Head of Education and Learning.

The meeting also included standard agenda items such as the approval of minutes from the previous meeting held on 26 January 2026 and consideration of any actions arising from previous meetings. A provisional schedule of future meeting dates for the 2025-26 Municipal Year was also to be circulated.