The Richmond Schools Forum was scheduled to discuss the financial outlook for the borough's schools, including updates on the 2025/26 financial position and the proposed budget for 2026/27. The forum was also set to review the progress of the SEND Futures Plan, which aims to improve outcomes for children and young people with special educational needs and disabilities.

SEND Futures Plan Update

The Schools Forum was scheduled to receive an update on the implementation of Richmond's SEND Futures Plan. This strategic plan, covering ages 0-25, aims to improve outcomes for children and young people with special educational needs and disabilities (SEND) across education, health, and social care, while also enhancing the financial sustainability of the system. The report indicated that Richmond upon Thames had 2,147 Education, Health and Care (EHC) plans in place as of November 2025, a 7.5% increase from the previous year. The plan includes workstreams focused on early identification and intervention, the local offer, and assessment and planning. Concerns were noted regarding increasing wait times for autism assessments and support, and the impact of the move of Continuing Healthcare decision-making to an ICB level. The cessation of Richmond's Safety Valve Agreement in March 2025 was also highlighted, with the council having received all available funding under the programme. The Department for Education (DfE) is expected to outline plans for reforming the SEND system through a SEND White Paper, anticipated in early 2026.

2025/26 Finance Update

An update on the financial position for the 2025/26 financial year was scheduled for discussion. The Dedicated Schools Grant (DSG) allocation for this period was £235.095m, with a projected spend of £240.177m, indicating a shortfall of £5.082m. The majority of this overspend was attributed to the High Needs Block. The report noted that the local authority would no longer be making a contribution from the general fund to the Schools Fund following the end of the Safety Valve Funding Agreement. The impact of falling rolls on primary schools in deficit was also discussed, with a focus on maintaining educational outcomes alongside financial management.

2026/27 Budget

The Schools Forum was to consider the proposed budget for the 2026/27 financial year, based on the provisional Dedicated Schools Grant (DSG) allocation of £247.307m. This represents an increase of £12.212m compared to 2025/26. The report detailed the proposed allocation across the four blocks: Schools Block (£169.327m), Central School Services Block (£1.172m), High Needs Block (£42.046m), and Early Years Block (£34.762m).

Key recommendations included:

• Schools Block: The forum was asked to recommend the Minimum Funding Guarantee rate at 0.00% and approve a budget of a maximum of £100,000 for the Growth Fund, with any unspent funds to be redistributed to schools. A decision was also to be made on whether to top-slice funding from the schools block to create a Falling Rolls Fund of £175,000, with criteria for access to be determined. The establishment of a Union Duty Cover Fund of £40,000 was also proposed.
• Central School Services Block: The forum was asked to re-approve the budget for these services, with some proposed changes to allocations.
• High Needs Block: The report highlighted the ongoing financial pressures within this block, with a projected spend of £47.030m against a budget of £41.357m for 2025/26. The DfE's decision to suspend the high needs national funding formula for 2026/27 was noted, with allocations based on 2025/26 figures.
• Early Years Block: The provisional allocation for 2026/27 was £34.762m. The report outlined proposed hourly rates for 3- and 4-year-olds (£7.49), 2-year-olds (£10.53), and under 2-year-olds (£14.28). The forum was asked to agree central early years services budgets, recommend the proposed early years local formula, and approve the SEND Inclusion Fund at £0.581m.

The report also included detailed appendices on funding rates, illustrative funding examples, falling rolls fund criteria options, and feedback from early years providers on proposed budgets and rates.

Minutes of the Previous Meeting

The minutes of the meeting held on 20 November 2025 were scheduled for approval. These minutes covered discussions on the High Needs Block Terms of Reference, the 2025/26 Finance Update, and the 2026/27 Budget, including recommendations on the Minimum Funding Guarantee rate, the Growth Fund, the Falling Rolls Fund, and the Union Duty Cover Fund.