Concern as council debt for special educational needs support set to exceed £180m |
The council has warned the deficit in its ring-fenced schools' budget will reach £183m by next year.
The authority administers what is known as the Dedicated Schools Grant on behalf of the government to support youngsters with high needs - but the money the council spends outstrips what it gets from Whitehall.
The overspend comes as the number of children with education and health care plans - which outline the extra support they need to support conditions such as autism and learning difficulties - increases.
Norfolk County Council last year saw a 17pc increase in referrals to special schools, while leaders have accused some unscrupulous private care providers and independent special schools of "profiteering" from Norfolk's vulnerable children.
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