The Government has given a vote of confidence in Devon’s progress on SEND, approving the county council’s reform plan and announcing an indicative £191m grant to repay 90% of the council’s accumulated overspend on SEND up to the end of 2025/26.
The Department for Education and Department of Health and Social Care said it recognised the progress made by partners across education, health and local government in developing a shared plan to improve support for children and young people with special educational needs and disabilities (SEND).
The approval means Devon County Council is eligible to receive a High Needs Stability Grant covering 90 per cent of its Dedicated Schools Grant (DSG) deficit accrued up to the end of the 2025-26 financial year, with an indicative allocation of £191.3 million, subject to final confirmation.
The grant relates to historic expenditure that has already been incurred through Devon’s DSG deficit and the costs associated with financing it. It is not additional funding available for new SEND services or other council spending.
Ministers said the approval recognises the commitment shown by Devon’s local area partnership to reform and provides a foundation from which it can move into the delivery phase of its improvement programme.
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