Special needs funding claims in English schools ‘increasingly being refused’

Financial pressures mean many councils are reluctant to issue top-up funding from high-needs budgets, say experts

Pupils with special educational needs in mainstream schools are increasingly being refused additional funding from councils in England unless they have legal documents supporting their claims.

Experts say that increasing financial pressures have made many councils reluctant to make top-up funding available from high-needs budgets - creating a vicious cycle" between parents and councils over who gets support.