Cambridgeshire County Council have secured funding from the Department for Education under their ‘Saftey Valve’ programme. ( the Department’s Guidance can be found here). The programme targets local authorities with the highest dedicated school grant deficits – these are the funds that pay for special education needs (SEN Support but mostly Education Health and Care Plans). The programme requires Local Authorities to take steps to prevent them from returning to a deficit position and becoming financially sustainable – The department strongly encourages all LAs to have plans in place to ensure the sustainable management of their high-needs systems, for the benefit of the children and young people they serve. For many LAs, their Desugnated Schools’ Grant (DSG) deficit position means the production of a management plan is a requirement (as per the DSG conditions of grant).
You can read the County Council’s press release here.
The Department for Education’s contract with the County Council is here.