Page 5 - Who is losing learning IPPR Briefing & Podcast March 2025

Key Themes and Important Ideas/Facts:

3. Rising Numbers in Alternative Provision and Unregistered Settings:

•Increased Reliance on AP: There has been a significant rise in children entering alternative
provision, including both regulated independent and unregulated private providers.

•Growth of Private Provision: Placements in regulated independent alternative provision, paid for
by the state, have risen by 56% between 2018/19 and 2022/23.

•Concerns about Unregistered Provision: There has been a 49% rise in children educated in
unregistered alternative provision during the same period, raising concerns due to the lack of
regulation and oversight for these vulnerable students.

Quote:

"Many more children are entering alternative provision schools not run by the state. There has been a
56 per cent rise (2018/19 to 2022/23) in children – and their funding – leaving state-run schools for
regulated independent provision, paid for by the state... Between the academic years 2018/19 and
2022/23, there has been a 49 per cent rise in children educated in unregistered alternative provision.
This is concerning given the lack of regulation and oversight for these placements and the
vulnerability of the population.“

4. Financial Strain on Local Authorities:

•Soaring Deficits: Local authorities are facing significant financial pressure due to rising costs
associated with special educational needs provision and tribunals. Cumulative school budget deficits
for local authorities with a deficit have increased dramatically.

•SEND Tribunal Costs: A significant amount of public money is "wasted" on costs associated with
SEND tribunals, where local authorities often lose disputes with parents regarding the need for
provision outside mainstream schools.

•Statutory Override Ending: The temporary "statutory override" that has kept school spending
overspends off overall council balance sheets is due to end in March 2026, threatening to tip many
local authorities into insolvency.

Quote: "An estimated £60 million of public money was wasted in 2021/22, considering lost cases,
£46 million of which came from council budgets for SEND tribunal costs."