The crisis in English special educational needs funding and the influence of safety valve agreements

Abstract

This paper examines how the English education system has attempted to react to the financial pressures caused by a rise in diagnoses of special educational needs and disabilities (SEND). In particular, it explores how a crisis in funding has led to government financial aid, known as safety valve agreements and this in turn has allowed new managerial processes to become embedded in the system. Through content analysis of 38 such agreements, the research investigates how these interventions are influencing SEND practice across England. The findings reveal that actions within these agreements predominantly focus on financial control mechanisms and service transformation, with an emphasis on reducing Education Health and Care Plans (EHCPs) and specialist provision costs. The study argues that the SEND funding crisis exemplifies how neoliberal approaches perpetuate themselves through cycles where crises lead to further neoliberal solutions rather than fundamental reform. The emphasis on parental voice and choice – a core neoliberal principle – has significantly contributed to financial strain on local authorities (LAs) through increased tribunal cases and specialist provision costs. The research concludes that the failure of current interventions in England is because the crisis has led to solutions based on new managerialism approaches.