Increasing numbers of specialist education places needed in Liverpool could place an almost £10m pressure on the local authority’s budget next year.
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. A report on school budgets, to be discussed at a meeting of the forum on Wednesday, said the cost of specialist placements could lead to an overspend of £9.4m in the next financial year.
The document said: “Liverpool is seeing a significant increase in the numbers of pupils with EHCPs with a 28% increase in 2021-22 and similar increase expected this year. A review of pupils currently with plans indicates that an additional 90 specialist places will be required in 2022-23 and 149 in 2023-24.
