Lincolnshire County Council is preparing to allocate an additional £22 million towards special educational needs and disabilities (SEND) provision to meet growing demand across the county.
The council expects to require around 700 new SEND places within the next three years as more young people need specialist support. Despite recent expansions, including 12 local special schools and the creation of 500 extra places, capacity remains under strain.
Lincolnshire currently has 17 special and five alternative provision state-funded schools. With many mainstream schools unable to cater to pupils with complex needs, the council has increasingly relied on private providers, driving up costs.
A dedicated budget of £141 million has been set aside for SEND provision, with over £101 million already committed to improvements and expansions. However, the council is facing a significant funding gap and is reviewing ways to reduce costs and improve efficiency.
The financial pressure comes amid broader budget challenges, with the local authority already warning of potential service cuts to save more than £25 million in the next financial year.
The Department for Education has been approached for comment on how it plans to support local councils managing rising SEND demands.
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