Sussex schools must receive fair slice of new SEND funding, says MP

Local Liberal Democrat MP James MacCleary is urging the Government to allocate Sussex schools the funding they so desperately need following the announcement of extra funding to support pupils with special needs.

James MacCleary MP has welcomed the Education Secretary's latest announcement of extra funding for mainstream schools to improve provision for SEND (special educational needs and disabilities) students. The plan aims to create more SEND places in mainstream schools, relieving special schools unable to cope with overwhelming demand. 

But with plans for how the £740 million will be allocated yet to be published, Liberal Democrat MP James MacCleary is calling on the Government to make sure Sussex schools receive a fair slice of the new funding. 

Years of neglect under the previous Conservative Government have left too many families across Sussex struggling desperately to get their children the support they need. Cash-strapped schools are doing their best to provide complex SEND support, but too many vulnerable children in Sussex are being failed.

Some children locally have had their studies impacted and are missing school in some cases for months while they are part of a backlog. In some cases schools aren't able to set up for their needs while they await reports.

Lewes constituency MP James MacCleary called today on the Education Secretary to make sure local schools are allocated a fair slice of the new funding, and advocated for a rescue plan for SEND provision in Sussex and across the country, and support for the Council to get through its backlog.

James MacCleary, Liberal Democrat MP for Lewes, said: "Every week, I hear from families in Sussex who are struggling with a SEND system that is simply not fit for purpose. Too many parents are being denied the support their children are legally entitled to, and some are even missing out on vital transport services because of unfair means testing—leaving families stretched to breaking point.

"In East Sussex, the backlog of Education, Health, and Care Plans (EHCPs) is spiraling out of control, forcing far too many families to go through the stressful and costly tribunal process. This isn't just inefficient—it's causing real harm to the children and parents caught up in the system.

"Children with special educational needs and disabilities deserve access to the right education in their local communities, but this can only happen if schools are properly funded. East Sussex must get its fair share of the new SEND funding package to ensure every child has the support they need to thrive.

"While the Education Secretary's plans may offer some relief, they fail to address the root causes of this crisis. Families, schools, and local authorities need more than a sticking plaster—they need a system that works.

"That's why the Liberal Democrats are calling for a National Body for SEND to create a fair, consistent, and effective system. This is about giving every child the chance to succeed, no matter their needs. The government must act now to fix this broken system and deliver the support our children deserve."

A report on SEND funding can be found here:  https://www.theguardian.com/education/2024/dec/04/schools-in-england-to-get-extra-740m-for-pupils-with-special-needs