Expenditure on Children with Special Educational Needs and Disabilities

Strategic Insights -

The UK government has stated its ambition to ensure that all children and young people with special educational needs and disabilities receive the right support to succeed in their education and transition into adult life. The government has provided data on the average per-pupil expenditure on pupils with an Education, Health and Care (EHC) plan in different types of special schools.

The average per-pupil expenditure on pupils with an EHC plan in maintained special schools and special academies has increased from £20,000 in 2018/19 to £26,000 in 2023/24. In contrast, the average per-pupil expenditure on pupils with an EHC plan in non-maintained and independent special schools has increased from £52,000 in 2018/19 to £63,000 in 2023/24.

The per-pupil expenditure amounts are averages of a wide range of funding levels, which can vary depending on the needs of the child and school. The government has highlighted that the relevant local authority is responsible for deciding how to allocate funding and how much to allocate to each school.

The government has also announced a £1 billion increase in high needs budgets for England in the 2025/26 financial year. This will bring the total high needs funding to over £12 billion, with Dudley Council being allocated £62 million through the high needs funding block of the dedicated schools grant (DSG).

Key Takeaways:

  • The average per-pupil expenditure on pupils with an EHC plan in maintained special schools and special academies increased from £20,000 in 2018/19 to £26,000 in 2023/24.
  • The average per-pupil expenditure on pupils with an EHC plan in non-maintained and independent special schools increased from £52,000 in 2018/19 to £63,000 in 2023/24.
  • The government has announced a £1 billion increase in high needs budgets for England in the 2025/26 financial year.
  • The total high needs funding for children and young people with complex SEND will be over £12 billion, with £62 million allocated to Dudley Council through the high needs funding block of the DSG.
  • The per-pupil expenditure amounts are averages of a wide range of funding levels, which can vary depending on the needs of the child and school.
  • The local authorities are responsible for deciding how to allocate funding and how much to allocate to each school.

Statistics:

  • 2018/19: Average per-pupil expenditure in maintained special schools and special academies was £20,000.
  • 2019/20: Average per-pupil expenditure in maintained special schools and special academies was £21,000.
  • 2020/21: Average per-pupil expenditure in maintained special schools and special academies was £22,000.
  • 2021/22: Average per-pupil expenditure in maintained special schools and special academies was £23,000.
  • 2022/23: Average per-pupil expenditure in maintained special schools and special academies was £24,000.
  • 2023/24: Average per-pupil expenditure in maintained special schools and special academies was £26,000.
  • 2018/19: Average per-pupil expenditure in non-maintained and independent special schools was £52,000.
  • 2019/20: Average per-pupil expenditure in non-maintained and independent special schools was £54,000.
  • 2020/21: Average per-pupil expenditure in non-maintained and independent special schools was £54,000.
  • 2021/22: Average per-pupil expenditure in non-maintained and independent special schools was £57,000.
  • 2022/23: Average per-pupil expenditure in non-maintained and independent special schools was £62,000.
  • 2023/24: Average per-pupil expenditure in non-maintained and independent special schools was £63,000.

Sources:

  • Written answer to Catherine McKinnell, Labour MP for Newcastle upon Tyne North, on 14 May 2025.