16 January 2026 weekly update

Dear Colleagues,

Not much from me this week but plenty in the national news about the long-awaited SEND White Paper and funding, for example an additional £200m for SEND training. The move towards more inclusive mainstream schools has been high profile and is supported by the new Ofsted inspection framework, but of course this is not new and mainstream schools already have a responsibility for SEND inclusion. Many Kent mainstream schools have a clear commitment to serving children and families in the local community and have very sound inclusive practice already. I am delighted that every edition of the KCC SEND Parent Newsletter now includes multiple case studies of great practice in Kent schools and settings - you can subscribe and see previous editions. You may want to consider highlighting this publication to your parents.

Given the interest in SEND and growing demand, the High Needs Funding Block has seen significant annual increases over a number of years and so the very recent announcement by DfE that the High Needs Block of the DSG, used to fund SEN services, will be frozen at 2025-26 was somewhat unexpected. Hikes in a range of costs over 2025-26 on top of the delay in bringing forward the building of the two new special schools in Swanley and Whitstable is resulting in a higher than projected deficit in this financial year. The late notification and lack of expected increase in funding for 2026-27 has meant we have had to review our planned approach and a report will be discussed at CYPE Cabinet Committee next week on Tuesday 20 January. The options being considered include:

• Do Nothing - SEN payment rates from 2025-26 remain unchanged for 2026-27
• Applying an uplift to SEN payment rates, up to 2%, in line with mainstream school budgets, adding to the pressure on the High Needs Block and increasing the deficit. A 1% increase equates approximately to £3 million cost to the High Needs Block
• Apply a variable approach to different payment types to reflect their financial circumstances and ability to deliver efficiencies (including use of reserves). This is expected to reduce the impact on the High Needs Block and utilise other funding sources
• Delay the decision to apply an uplift to the SEN payment rates until further information is published by the DfE on future funding arrangements.

The full report, Special Educational Needs (SEN) Funding 2026-27 Payment Uplifts can be found from page 137.

Back to a national perspective, I thought the latest update on the DFE’s RISE programme (PDF, 1.4 MB) would be of interest. Personally, I was particularly reflective about the Universal Overview, slide 8, where RISE will be signposting, fostering an open culture and convening and empowering local partners. I look forward to understanding better what value will be added by RISE to the already extensive work that is going on across Kent in these particular areas so we can develop a close working partnership and ensure consistent approaches. Feedback to the DfE will be channelled through the SE Regional Improvement Network so if you have any thoughts please do get back to me and I will pass on.

With all best wishes

Christine McInnes
Interim Corporate Director, Children, Young People and Education