Record Rise in Special Educational Needs Support
New government statistics indicate a substantial surge in the number of children and young people receiving support for special educational needs and disabilities (SEND) in the UK. This increase has pushed the figures to an all-time high.
Key Figures and Trends
- From January 2025 to January 2026, there was a 12.5% rise in the number of children holding Education, Health and Care Plans (EHCPs). These legal documents outline the specific support entitlements for individuals with SEND.
- This represents the most significant year-on-year increase since the introduction of EHCPs over a decade ago, with the total number of plans now exceeding 700,000.
- Over 110,000 new EHCPs were issued during the 2025 calendar year, covering individuals up to 25 years of age.
- Despite the rise in plans, the proportion of EHCPs issued within the statutory 20-week timeframe has slightly decreased, with less than half being completed on schedule.
- The number of children and young people with EHCPs attending mainstream schools has also grown by over 15% compared to the previous year, meaning nearly half of all EHCP holders are now in mainstream settings.
A spokesperson for the Department for Education (DfE) acknowledged the figures, stating they illustrate “the scale of the challenge we inherited.” The DfE highlighted its £4 billion investment aimed at integrating specialist support into mainstream schools, asserting a commitment to building a system where “every school can support every child to thrive.”
Challenges and Family Perspectives
The process of securing an EHCP can be challenging for families. Karen Quinn, whose 11-year-old son Adam has autism, ADHD, and dyslexia, is currently navigating the EHCP application ahead of his transition to secondary school. She emphasizes the critical need for support to be in place promptly, noting that even minor delays can impact a child's educational journey.
“I just want him to get the help that he needs to be the best that he can be,” Karen expressed, highlighting concerns about the timeliness of the EHCP process.
Surrey County Council’s cabinet member for children, families, and lifelong learning, Helyn Clack, stated that EHCP assessments are governed by national legislation and handled on a case-by-case basis. She encouraged families with concerns to contact the council directly for advice and support.
Proposed Reforms and Concerns
Earlier this year, the government unveiled plans to reform the SEND system, focusing on making mainstream schools more inclusive. A key aspect of these reforms, set to be fully implemented by 2030, is that fewer children will qualify for EHCPs. Instead, all children with SEND (currently over 1.8 million) will receive individual support plans (ISPs), with EHCPs reserved for those with the most complex needs.
While the government maintains that these reforms will not diminish legal rights to support, families and campaigners have voiced concerns that this shift could “strip away” crucial legal protections. The consultation on these reform plans concluded in May.
New guidance has also been released for creating inclusion bases within mainstream schools. These dedicated spaces are intended to offer targeted teaching and specialist support, aiming to address inconsistent provision and prevent children from feeling excluded. Education Secretary Bridget Phillipson remarked on the “postcode lottery” of SEND provision, asserting that the reforms would tackle this issue.
However, Jolanta Lasota, CEO of Ambitious About Autism, noted that while the school environment is crucial, children are “uncertain” if inclusion bases would foster support and inclusion or simply create another form of separation. Matt Wrack, General Secretary of the NASUWT teaching union, criticized the government for issuing guidance on inclusion prior to publishing the full response to the SEND consultation, suggesting it places an undue burden on already strained schools and teachers without clear expectations.
The DfE acknowledged that the SEND system has been “stretched to breaking point” and reiterated its commitment to investing in training for teachers and providing schools with the necessary expertise and resources for early intervention.
Source: Number of children getting special educational needs support hits another record high