Nearly 20% of school pupils in England are now receiving support for special educational needs (SEN), marking a record high and adding further urgency to long-awaited reforms of the system.
According to newly released data from the Department for Education, over 1.7 million children in England are currently receiving SEN supportâan increase of 93,700 pupils (5.6%) compared to the previous year. The figure now represents 19.6% of the student population, the highest proportion since this type of data collection began.
Of these pupils, more than 482,000 have an Education, Health and Care Plan (EHCP), a legal framework outlining the specific support a child is entitled to. Since 2016, the total number of children receiving SEN support has risen by 44%, while the number with EHCPs has more than doubled.
Rising Need, Mounting Pressure
Much of this growth has been linked to rising diagnoses of autism, speech and language difficulties, and mental health conditions. The Institute for Fiscal Studies (IFS) notes that improved identification of autismâparticularly among girlsâmay be behind the increase in EHCPs.
The aftermath of the COVID-19 pandemic has also been cited, with reduced social interaction during lockdowns believed to have impacted speech and language development in younger children. Current figures show that speech, language, and communication needs are the most common area of SEN support provided in schools.
Parental Struggles and Tribunal Surges
For many families, accessing the right support remains an uphill battle. Cath, a mother from Bristol, is seeking an EHCP for her nine-year-old son, who has been diagnosed with autism and ADHD. Despite her schoolâs efforts, she says the level of support needed canât be delivered without formal recognition through an EHCP.
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âEverything is a fight,â she says. âYouâre constantly having to advocate, fill out paperwork, and hope someone will listen. Itâs exhausting.â Her son sits in a difficult positionâhis needs are significant, but may not meet the threshold for specialist education, leaving him struggling in a mainstream environment.
Cath also voiced concern about the future of EHCPs, fearing that government reforms might scale back entitlements.
Her experience is echoed by many. New figures from the Ministry of Justice reveal a record 24,000 special educational needs and disability (SEND) tribunals were brought in the past yearâup 36% from the previous yearâas more parents challenge inadequate provisions for their children.
System in Crisis
The current system is widely viewed as stretched to its limits. Headteachers and unions say that the rise in SEN cases is putting immense strain on already under-resourced schools.
Paul Whiteman, general secretary of the National Association of Head Teachers (NAHT), described the situation as âunsustainable.â He highlighted shortages of crucial professionals such as educational psychologists and therapists, as well as the patchy funding from financially burdened local authorities.
âThe result is a postcode lottery of support,â he said, adding that some families are left with no option but to take their local councils to tribunal to secure the assistance their children need.
Funding Struggles for Local Authorities
Local authorities are facing severe financial pressure due to the escalating demand for SEND services. A 2023 report by the National Audit Office found that the current system is not financially viable and is failing to deliver improved outcomes, despite increased investment over the past decade.
A temporary arrangement keeping approximately ÂŁ3 billion in SEND-related debt off council balance sheets is set to expire next year. Without a new financial strategy, county councils warn of a looming crisis.
Tim Oliver, chair of the County Councils Network, warned that the reabsorption of these deficits could push many councils toward insolvency. âWe need immediate guidance from the government on how these deficits will be managed,â he said.
Reform on the Horizon
The Department for Education has acknowledged the mounting challenges and has committed to major reforms. A comprehensive white paper outlining the governmentâs long-awaited SEND overhaul is expected this autumn.
Education Secretary Bridget Phillipson said the current system leaves âtoo many families fighting for the basicsâ and that this government would âend that injustice.â
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âWeâre committed to earlier intervention and increased support in mainstream settings,â she said. âWeâve already invested ÂŁ740 million to help councils expand specialist provision and are taking steps to improve identification of needs such as speech, language, autism, and ADHD.â
In addition, ÂŁ760 million has been earmarked over two years from a transformation fund to drive changes in how SEND services are delivered.
As the number of SEN pupils continues to climb and families increasingly turn to legal action, there is growing consensus that only a structural overhaul of the system will provide lasting relief to children, parents, schools, and local authorities alike
