Councils Struggle to Keep Up with Rising SEND Support

The latest statistics reveal that there has been a significant increase in the number of children and young people with special educational needs and disabilities (SEND) who are receiving support from local councils. In 2023, a record-breaking 84,428 Education, Health and Care Plans (EHCPs) were issued by councils, outlining the specific provisions for SEND support for each individual. This represents a substantial 26.6% increase from the previous year and reflects a consistent upward trend since 2014.

As of January 2024, there are a staggering 575,963 children in the UK who have an EHCP, underscoring the growing demand for specialised support in this area. Moreover, requests for assessments have soared by 20.8% compared to the previous year, highlighting the pressing need for additional resources and services to cater to the needs of children with SEND.

Councillor Louise Gittins, Chair of the Local Government Association’s Children and Young People Board, expressed the challenges faced by councils in meeting the escalating demand for SEND support. She stated, “Councils are committed to providing the best possible assistance to children with special educational needs and their families. Nevertheless, the unprecedented rise in EHCPs serves as a stark reminder of the immense strain that councils are currently under.”

Alongside the surge in EHCPs, there has been a notable increase in the costs associated with home-to-school transport for children with SEND. Budgets for this essential service surged by 23.3% in the 2023/24 fiscal year, amounting to a budgeted net spend of £1.4 billion. The Local Government Association is urging for the enhancement of the inclusion of children with SEND and calling for the elimination of high needs deficits that have accumulated within councils due to the escalating costs, estimated to be around £1.9 billion.

As the demand for SEND support continues to rise, it is imperative that adequate resources and funding are allocated to ensure that every child with special educational needs receives the personalised assistance they require to thrive. The statistics serve as a clear indication of the growing societal need for enhanced support structures for children and young people with SEND, emphasising the critical importance of addressing these issues and providing comprehensive solutions to meet their diverse needs. Image credit: iStock