Bracknell Forest Council is one of the highest spending local authorities on children with 'high' special educational needs (SEN), a report has said.

School representatives and headteachers will discuss the budget issues facing the council next week as it is projected to overspend by £8.5 million on SEN this financial year.

An executive report says that the High Needs Block, a section of funding dedicated to children who need high levels of support, is contributing towards a predicted £26 million deficit in spending from the council on education by March 2025.

Bracknell Forest Council is spending the second highest amount on the High Needs Block out of 150 local authorities, according to the report.

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Education is paid for by a local authority though the Dedicated Schools Grant, which consists of four blocks – the schools block, high-needs, central services and early years.

The council spends a total of £137 million on education per year.

Bracknell Forest Council is implementing measures to reduce it’s overspend as part of the Government’s Safety Valve programme.

In return the Department for Education will grant funding for two specialist schools in the borough.

Finance bosses at the council said last month that it is now facing an overspend of £8.5 million this financial year, a reduction of half a million pounds from last year’s.

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Measures have included closing a pupil referral unit and axing around half a dozen staff jobs, according to executive director for resources Stuart McKellar.

Spiralling costs of specialist provision and transportation have been met with higher demands for Education and Health Care Plans, according to Mr McKellar.

This has meant savings have been virtually ‘wiped out’, the executive director said.

The budget update will be given to Bracknell Forest Council’s Schools Forum on Thursday, November 14.

This is made up of school representatives, headteachers, governors and executive officers at Bracknell Forest Council.