The Government has confirmed that Bracknell Forest Council will receive £29m of funding to wipe out around 90 per cent of debt accumulated to support local children and young people with special educational needs and disabilities (SEND) at school.

Last month, the Bracknell Forest Local SEND Reform Plan was formally approved by the Department for Education (DfE) and the Department of Health and Social Care.

The approval demonstrated the Government’s confidence in the plan and local partnership in improving support for children and young people with SEND. It also meant the council became 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 2025/26. The DSG first started to go into deficit in 2019/20.

The indicative allocation of £29m has been confirmed by the Government this week and has been welcomed by the council. The £29m is in addition to payments of £9m that the council has previously received through the Government’s Safety Valve programme.

Cllr Megan Wright, cabinet member for children, young people and health, said: “We very much welcome the news that the £29m High Needs Stability Grant has been confirmed by the Government; it is really good news as it means we do not have to try to find £29m from elsewhere to pay back the historic deficits.  Alongside the approval of our SEND Reform Plan, it is another positive step in our SEND improvement journey.

“Alongside our partners, our focus remains on improving local SEND services for our children, young people and their families. The DfE has formally approved our Local SEND Reform Plan showing that we have a solid foundation for reforming and improving our SEND services.

“We are determined to ensure the agreed improvements are felt by children, young people and families in their day-to-day experiences.”