A School governor has criticised special educational needs funding provided by the council, claiming that it falls short in mainstream schools.  

Emily Griffiths, the Parent governor and deputy chair of the Board of Governors at Lydgate Junior School, raised the concern at the Sheffield City Council Education, Children and Families Policy Committee meeting on the seventh May 2025. 

She claimed that SEND funding, money allocated by the council to support children with special needs, falls short in mainstream schools, compared to funding received from the council in special schools. 

Ms Griffiths said: “When children with special needs are placed in mainstream schools, there is a top-up but schools do not receive adequate funding to support the child’s needs.”

She revealed that in order to meet the child’s Education, Health and Care plan (EHCP) needs, facilities need to be adapted and three additional full time staff are required. This will cost over £60,000 and doubles the whole school deficit. 

Councillor Dawn Dale, the Chair of the Sheffield City Council Education, Children and Families Policy Committee, responded to this and announced that they are currently implementing a banded funding model to support pupils with EHCPs..

A banded funding model is a system that is used by local authorities to allocate enough funding for Special Educational Needs so that children and young people with EHC plans receive the level of care that they require.  

Councillor Dale said: “We are committed to working closely with the school to ensure the allocations are refined if needed.” 

The 2024/25 academic year has served as a transitional period for EHC plans issued after September 2024. However, with the EHC plans issued prior to this, the previous funding model remains in effect. 

The council said they will be collaborating with schools across the city to address any questions regarding the funding processes, band allocations and how the new model will be implemented in the coming year. 

They are also finalising the funding model to support pupils with high needs who do not have EHC plans. 

Councillor Dale has said that all this information will be shared with schools soon and that they appreciate ‘your patience and understanding as we continue to improve our SEND funding system.’