Matt Keer
@captaink77.bsky.social
Mostly SEND, mostly for @spcialndsjungle.bsky.social
Provisional local govt financial settlement & DSG/SEND deficits: £3.8bn now, est £14bn in 2028
“We will provide further detail on our plans to support local authorities with historic & accruing [DSG] deficits & conditions for accessing such [unspecified] support later in the Settlement process.”
“We will provide further detail on our plans to support local authorities with historic & accruing [DSG] deficits & conditions for accessing such [unspecified] support later in the Settlement process.”
December 17, 2025 at 4:39 PM
Provisional local govt financial settlement & DSG/SEND deficits: £3.8bn now, est £14bn in 2028
“We will provide further detail on our plans to support local authorities with historic & accruing [DSG] deficits & conditions for accessing such [unspecified] support later in the Settlement process.”
“We will provide further detail on our plans to support local authorities with historic & accruing [DSG] deficits & conditions for accessing such [unspecified] support later in the Settlement process.”
Reposted by Matt Keer
On SNJ Today: @captaink77.bsky.social crunched numbers on the DfE's £3 billion #SEND funding extravaganza. Is it new money? And how you can set them against the 5 reform principles to ask the right questions in the "National SEND Conversation": www.specialneedsjungle.com/g...
#Disability #SENDSky
#Disability #SENDSky
December 15, 2025 at 7:45 PM
On SNJ Today: @captaink77.bsky.social crunched numbers on the DfE's £3 billion #SEND funding extravaganza. Is it new money? And how you can set them against the 5 reform principles to ask the right questions in the "National SEND Conversation": www.specialneedsjungle.com/g...
#Disability #SENDSky
#Disability #SENDSky
This looks like a continuation of a SEND capital grant pipeline (HNPCA) that's been in operation since 2021. If so, it's being funded at a slightly lower rate in real terms than the previous government did under the 2021 Spending Review
DfE announces £3 billion for specialist places - and again is pushing the idea of these being created in mainstream schools but more than 70 special and AP free schools in the pipeline could be scrapped with councils getting funding instead. www.tes.com/magazine/new...
£3bn for mainstream SEND places, but special free schools face uncertainty
DfE announces plans to create 50,000 new specialist places but up to 77 free school projects could be replaced, with councils getting funding instead
www.tes.com
December 12, 2025 at 8:41 AM
This looks like a continuation of a SEND capital grant pipeline (HNPCA) that's been in operation since 2021. If so, it's being funded at a slightly lower rate in real terms than the previous government did under the 2021 Spending Review
Running the numbers, looks like ~2,500 planned special school places have definitely been axed, with a further ~6,900 places subject to an undefined CeX-style trade-in
Breaking: Leaders describe 'nightmare before Christmas' as 28 mainstream and 18 special free school projects face the axe, with 58 more specialist settings thrown into limbo after a year-long government review
schoolsweek.co.uk/nightmare-be...
schoolsweek.co.uk/nightmare-be...
schoolsweek.co.uk
December 11, 2025 at 10:55 PM
Running the numbers, looks like ~2,500 planned special school places have definitely been axed, with a further ~6,900 places subject to an undefined CeX-style trade-in
‘Purple Hayes’ was right there
The chair of Parliament's education committee has criticised government for not directly addressing recommendations set out by its SEND report, calling on ministers to provide a 'much more detailed response' in the new year
Committee chair criticises DfE response to SEND report
Hayes says government must provide a 'much more detailed response' in the new year
schoolsweek.co.uk
December 11, 2025 at 10:00 PM
‘Purple Hayes’ was right there
Two things from the DfE SEND 'conversation' docs:
- The 'conversation' will be about five single-word principles, & ideas raised by stakeholders - not the Department's own specific proposals
- In a novel take on the word 'conversation,' the DfE may use AI to parse written responses from families
- The 'conversation' will be about five single-word principles, & ideas raised by stakeholders - not the Department's own specific proposals
- In a novel take on the word 'conversation,' the DfE may use AI to parse written responses from families
Schools minister Georgia Gould is to lead a series of face to face engagement events aimed at shaping the government’s SEND reform plans. www.tes.com/magazine/new...
SEND: Gould to hear public’s view on national support framework
Schools minister Georgia Gould will hold a series of face-to-face public events about DfE’s planned reforms
www.tes.com
December 2, 2025 at 8:01 PM
Two things from the DfE SEND 'conversation' docs:
- The 'conversation' will be about five single-word principles, & ideas raised by stakeholders - not the Department's own specific proposals
- In a novel take on the word 'conversation,' the DfE may use AI to parse written responses from families
- The 'conversation' will be about five single-word principles, & ideas raised by stakeholders - not the Department's own specific proposals
- In a novel take on the word 'conversation,' the DfE may use AI to parse written responses from families
Reposted by Matt Keer
NEW POST: In an SNJ exclusive, @rachel.stopsafetyvalve.uk highlights how ADHD and Autism “Right to Choose” assessments have been paused in at least nine NHS areas, as ICBs tell their contracted private providers to stop offering new appointments www.specialneedsjungle.com/a...
November 28, 2025 at 6:02 AM
NEW POST: In an SNJ exclusive, @rachel.stopsafetyvalve.uk highlights how ADHD and Autism “Right to Choose” assessments have been paused in at least nine NHS areas, as ICBs tell their contracted private providers to stop offering new appointments www.specialneedsjungle.com/a...
This article's a mess - largely because comms around the funding change has been a mess
Allocation of the educational component of SEND funding is the ultimate responsibility of the DfE, and always has been
Thread (apologies in advance for the 'stop getting Bond wrong!' energy)
Allocation of the educational component of SEND funding is the ultimate responsibility of the DfE, and always has been
Thread (apologies in advance for the 'stop getting Bond wrong!' energy)
Warning of £20bn timebomb as Reeves switches Send funding in England to education department
Warning of £20bn timebomb as Reeves switches Send funding in England to education department
Councils welcome move but OBR says it is a significant fiscal risk and could lead to 4.9% real fall in spending per pupil
The government will take over full responsibility for special educational needs spending from local councils, it was revealed at the budget, prompting warnings that the Department for Education could be facing a £20bn timebomb in two years.
The Office for Budget Responsibility said the annual costs of special educational needs and disability (Send) spending in England would reach £6bn a year by 2028, increasing the urgency of a potentially decisive overhaul of Send provision in a schools white paper expected early next year. Continue reading...
www.theguardian.com
November 27, 2025 at 6:46 PM
This article's a mess - largely because comms around the funding change has been a mess
Allocation of the educational component of SEND funding is the ultimate responsibility of the DfE, and always has been
Thread (apologies in advance for the 'stop getting Bond wrong!' energy)
Allocation of the educational component of SEND funding is the ultimate responsibility of the DfE, and always has been
Thread (apologies in advance for the 'stop getting Bond wrong!' energy)
Yeah, they're fucked. Proportionately, BCP has a bigger DSG deficit than anyone other LA in England, by miles
But these guys seem to have fucked up in a uniquely bad way, in comparison to close statistical neighbours: BCP is under a DfE statutory direction to improve its SEND services
But these guys seem to have fucked up in a uniquely bad way, in comparison to close statistical neighbours: BCP is under a DfE statutory direction to improve its SEND services
❗A cash-strapped council facing a £183 million SEND black hole is warning ministers the deficit is 'forcing' them to make 'impossible financial decisions' with 'devastating consequences', ahead of tomorrow’s budget
schoolsweek.co.uk/council-faci...
schoolsweek.co.uk/council-faci...
Council facing £183m SEND deficit warns of 'devastating consequences'
A council facing a £183 million SEND black hole is warning ministers the deficit is “forcing” them to make “impossible financial decisions” with "devastating consequences”
schoolsweek.co.uk
November 25, 2025 at 8:39 PM
Yeah, they're fucked. Proportionately, BCP has a bigger DSG deficit than anyone other LA in England, by miles
But these guys seem to have fucked up in a uniquely bad way, in comparison to close statistical neighbours: BCP is under a DfE statutory direction to improve its SEND services
But these guys seem to have fucked up in a uniquely bad way, in comparison to close statistical neighbours: BCP is under a DfE statutory direction to improve its SEND services
At most, 1.4% of pupils in mainstream independent schools have an EHCP
Pupils from mainstream independent schools make up 1% of local authority EHCP caseloads
These percentages have not changed in years
Pupils from mainstream independent schools make up 1% of local authority EHCP caseloads
These percentages have not changed in years
Tice: "One of the key issues here is these EHCPs [education, health and care plans], middle class parents playing the game in order to save the VAT on independent school fees."
November 17, 2025 at 5:36 PM
At most, 1.4% of pupils in mainstream independent schools have an EHCP
Pupils from mainstream independent schools make up 1% of local authority EHCP caseloads
These percentages have not changed in years
Pupils from mainstream independent schools make up 1% of local authority EHCP caseloads
These percentages have not changed in years
Reposted by Matt Keer
🚨 Exclusive: A damning inquiry will reveal tomorrow how NHS leaders ignored warnings over unsafe hearing tests 12 years ago leaving 300 children permanently disabled.
@camillakingdon.bsky.social labels it a "disaster" and calls for a change in leadership:
www.thetimes.com/article/2f23...
@camillakingdon.bsky.social labels it a "disaster" and calls for a change in leadership:
www.thetimes.com/article/2f23...
Hundreds of deaf children misdiagnosed in NHS ‘disaster’
Many were wrongly given the all-clear when they needed hearing aids or cochlear implants, permanently stunting their development
www.thetimes.com
November 9, 2025 at 8:10 AM
🚨 Exclusive: A damning inquiry will reveal tomorrow how NHS leaders ignored warnings over unsafe hearing tests 12 years ago leaving 300 children permanently disabled.
@camillakingdon.bsky.social labels it a "disaster" and calls for a change in leadership:
www.thetimes.com/article/2f23...
@camillakingdon.bsky.social labels it a "disaster" and calls for a change in leadership:
www.thetimes.com/article/2f23...
Public service announcement: if you're working in state schools or the public sector and you want sight of the data behind this article, hit me up (DM here, or email on the @spcialndsjungle.bsky.social site)
Thread in graphs below
Thread in graphs below
On SNJ Today: @captaink77.bsky.social warns the current state of SEND funding is chaotic & deteriorating faster than expected. He says at the top level, no one really knows how much is spent on SEND and reforming the system's finances will be immensely painful:
www.specialneedsjungle.com/s...
www.specialneedsjungle.com/s...
November 4, 2025 at 9:16 PM
Public service announcement: if you're working in state schools or the public sector and you want sight of the data behind this article, hit me up (DM here, or email on the @spcialndsjungle.bsky.social site)
Thread in graphs below
Thread in graphs below
Reposted by Matt Keer
NEW POST: @captaink77.bsky.social gives a stark warning that reforms for #SEND funding reforms will be immensely painful—but the current situation is chaotic and sinking fast. www.specialneedsjungle.com/s... #SENDsky
November 4, 2025 at 6:02 AM
NEW POST: @captaink77.bsky.social gives a stark warning that reforms for #SEND funding reforms will be immensely painful—but the current situation is chaotic and sinking fast. www.specialneedsjungle.com/s... #SENDsky
Reposted by Matt Keer
One factor also driving up transport costs is the location of Special schools in areas of low population density via the Free Schools model. Pragmatic decisions on capital investment have, in some cases, locked in high levels of transport cost. We need a better, joined up, strategy re. place growth.
'Home-to-school transport was designed to enable children living in rural areas to attend school. Eight decades on, local authorities are spending billions'
https://schoolsweek.co.uk/why-its-time-for-a-closer-look-at-home-to-school-transport/
https://schoolsweek.co.uk/why-its-time-for-a-closer-look-at-home-to-school-transport/
October 31, 2025 at 11:20 AM
One factor also driving up transport costs is the location of Special schools in areas of low population density via the Free Schools model. Pragmatic decisions on capital investment have, in some cases, locked in high levels of transport cost. We need a better, joined up, strategy re. place growth.
Reposted by Matt Keer
NEW POST: @catrionamoore.bsky.social dissects a new report from the @nao.org.uk that tells the Government to improve its data on schools and SEND transport—and ensure any coming changes don't make it harder for disabled children to attend: www.specialneedsjungle.com/n...
October 31, 2025 at 6:02 AM
NEW POST: @catrionamoore.bsky.social dissects a new report from the @nao.org.uk that tells the Government to improve its data on schools and SEND transport—and ensure any coming changes don't make it harder for disabled children to attend: www.specialneedsjungle.com/n...
Reposted by Matt Keer
Disabled children are having to wait for nearly four months to receive benefit payments due to government delays, with hardly any applications being processed on time according to the latest figures.
By me, for the Big Issue: www.bigissue.com/news/social-...
By me, for the Big Issue: www.bigissue.com/news/social-...
Disabled children left waiting months for benefits due to DWP delays
Single mother Maryam had to wait three months to get child disability allowance for her seven-year-old daughter, who has kidney cancer.
www.bigissue.com
October 30, 2025 at 2:52 PM
Disabled children are having to wait for nearly four months to receive benefit payments due to government delays, with hardly any applications being processed on time according to the latest figures.
By me, for the Big Issue: www.bigissue.com/news/social-...
By me, for the Big Issue: www.bigissue.com/news/social-...
Reposted by Matt Keer
The myth of the powerful parent, and what powerlessness really feels like; open.substack.com/pub/johnsonp... #EduSky #SEND #ThisIsAP
October 27, 2025 at 2:18 PM
The myth of the powerful parent, and what powerlessness really feels like; open.substack.com/pub/johnsonp... #EduSky #SEND #ThisIsAP
Reposted by Matt Keer
NEW: Fears over upcoming SEND reforms have led more parents to request formal support for their children, according to reports from councils
The rise came after a govt adviser suggested that rights to SEND support could be curtailed
By me, for Politics Home www.politicshome.com/news/article...
The rise came after a govt adviser suggested that rights to SEND support could be curtailed
By me, for Politics Home www.politicshome.com/news/article...
Rise In SEND Requests As Parents Fear Upcoming Reforms
Fears over upcoming reforms to the special education needs (SEND) system have led more parents to request formal support for their children, accord...
www.politicshome.com
October 27, 2025 at 2:54 PM
NEW: Fears over upcoming SEND reforms have led more parents to request formal support for their children, according to reports from councils
The rise came after a govt adviser suggested that rights to SEND support could be curtailed
By me, for Politics Home www.politicshome.com/news/article...
The rise came after a govt adviser suggested that rights to SEND support could be curtailed
By me, for Politics Home www.politicshome.com/news/article...
Reposted by Matt Keer
NEW POST: Independent public accountability initiative, Measure What Matters writes an excoriating, evidence-backed article that the law on #SEND isn’t failing, it’s been systematically undermined from within. Please consider sharing with your MP:
www.specialneedsjungle.com/l...
www.specialneedsjungle.com/l...
October 24, 2025 at 5:02 AM
NEW POST: Independent public accountability initiative, Measure What Matters writes an excoriating, evidence-backed article that the law on #SEND isn’t failing, it’s been systematically undermined from within. Please consider sharing with your MP:
www.specialneedsjungle.com/l...
www.specialneedsjungle.com/l...
“We need to take the time to get [SEND reform] right and to ensure we are designing a system which is protected against unintended consequences.”
Minister of State for Children & Families, July 2021
Minister of State for Children & Families, July 2021
Breaking: The government has delayed the publication of its schools White Paper, which would detail its SEND reform plans, until early 2026.
More to follow.
More to follow.
October 22, 2025 at 3:28 PM
“We need to take the time to get [SEND reform] right and to ensure we are designing a system which is protected against unintended consequences.”
Minister of State for Children & Families, July 2021
Minister of State for Children & Families, July 2021
Reposted by Matt Keer
At least 50,000 disabled people could lose access to financial employment support if the government goes ahead with plans to scrap the WCA benefit assessment, according to a new report from Citizens Advice
The true figure is likely to be higher
By me, for Big Issue www.bigissue.com/news/employm...
The true figure is likely to be higher
By me, for Big Issue www.bigissue.com/news/employm...
DWP plans will see more than 50,000 disabled people lose job support
DWP plans mean large numbers of disabled people will no longer qualify for a work allowance to support people looking for employment.
www.bigissue.com
September 26, 2025 at 10:45 AM
At least 50,000 disabled people could lose access to financial employment support if the government goes ahead with plans to scrap the WCA benefit assessment, according to a new report from Citizens Advice
The true figure is likely to be higher
By me, for Big Issue www.bigissue.com/news/employm...
The true figure is likely to be higher
By me, for Big Issue www.bigissue.com/news/employm...
They should learn, but the siren call of AI will be strong here
Consultation will probably end up as a couple of hand-picked focus groups, with written responses fed into an off-the-shelf LLM and a sentiment analysis tool
Consultation will probably end up as a couple of hand-picked focus groups, with written responses fed into an off-the-shelf LLM and a sentiment analysis tool
NEW POST: As the Schools White Paper looms, researchers @sheffieldhallamuni.bsky.social show how the DfE must learn from mistakes made in the last SEND Review when consulting with parent carers and disabled children—not least the late accessible versions www.specialneedsjungle.com/c... #SENDSky
September 24, 2025 at 12:27 PM
They should learn, but the siren call of AI will be strong here
Consultation will probably end up as a couple of hand-picked focus groups, with written responses fed into an off-the-shelf LLM and a sentiment analysis tool
Consultation will probably end up as a couple of hand-picked focus groups, with written responses fed into an off-the-shelf LLM and a sentiment analysis tool
Reposted by Matt Keer
On SNJ Today: The Education Committee's SEND Inquiry report tells the Government to boost inclusion—after deciding what it is—but leave legal rights alone. Pt 1 of our analysis is from @captaink77.bsky.social @catrionamoore.bsky.social & pix by @tanialt.bsky.social www.specialneedsjungle.com/s...
September 18, 2025 at 6:45 PM
On SNJ Today: The Education Committee's SEND Inquiry report tells the Government to boost inclusion—after deciding what it is—but leave legal rights alone. Pt 1 of our analysis is from @captaink77.bsky.social @catrionamoore.bsky.social & pix by @tanialt.bsky.social www.specialneedsjungle.com/s...