Total spend on children with Special Educational Needs

WQ.40/2026

WRITTEN QUESTION TO THE MINISTER FOR EDUCATION AND LIFELONG LEARNING

BY DEPUTY M.B. ANDREWS OF ST HELIER NORTH

QUESTION SUBMITTED ON MONDAY 16th FEBRUARY 2026

ANSWER TO BE TABLED ON MONDAY 23rd FEBRUARY 2026

Question

"Will the Minister state the total annual expenditure on children with Special Educational Needs (SEN) for each of the last five years?"

Answer

Total annual expenditure on children with Special Educational Needs (SEN)

Annual spend increased from £17.2 million in 2021 to £19.7 million in 2022, £23.8 million in 2023, £32.9 million in 2024, and £37.8 million in 2025.

This represents an overall 120% increase in expenditure over five years. This equates to 113% In real terms after removing the impact of inflation and pay awards.

The scale of this growth reflects both the demographic changes across the Islandwith more children being identified  as  having  special  educational  needsand  the  Government's  continued  commitment  to supporting children and young people with additional needs. The increased investment demonstrates a clear focus on ensuring that schools and services are better equipped to meet rising levels of need and to deliver inclusive support for every child.

The table below also shows the change over the five-year period in the numbers of children presenting with SEN needs, with children with a Record of Need (RON) increasing by 88% and children needing SEN support rising by 19%. This signifies the rising severity of need over the period.