Liverpool is “now seeing the financial cost” of an increase in pupils with educational health care plans (EHCP).
John Byrne, strategic finance manager for education and schools at Liverpool Council, said estimates of a potential overspend in school budgets as a result of pupil numbers of those with an EHCP posed a “very grey cloud” over the local authority. Estimates made by the city’s school forum have indicated that almost 150 additional places could be needed as Liverpool faces an increase in pupils with educational health care plans (EHCP) over the coming years.
It is thought that the cost of specialist placements could lead to an overspend of £9.4m by 2023-24. Mr Byrne told a meeting of the Liverpool Schools Forum that the council receives around “100 applications a month for EHCPs” and the additional 150 expected would “cost a significant amount” moving forward.
