Key facts
- The number of children with Education, Health and Care Plans (EHCPs) increased by 12.5% in the latest year-on-year figures.
- Over 700,000 children now have EHCPs, a record high since the plans were introduced.
- More than 110,000 new EHCPs were issued in the 2025 calendar year.
- Less than half of EHCPs were issued within the statutory 20-week timeframe.
- The government is investing £4bn to improve specialist support in mainstream schools.
- Proposed reforms aim to reserve EHCPs for the most complex needs by 2030, with ISPs for others.
The number of children in the UK receiving support for special educational needs and disabilities (SEND) has reached a new record high, with a 12.5% increase in children holding Education, Health and Care Plans (EHCPs) in the past year. This brings the total number of children with EHCPs to over 700,000, the largest year-on-year rise since the plans were introduced over a decade ago.
The Department for Education (DfE) acknowledged the significant challenge, announcing a £4bn investment aimed at integrating specialist support into mainstream schools to ensure all children can thrive. Over 110,000 new EHCPs were issued in the 2025 calendar year, with nearly half of all children holding EHCPs now attending mainstream schools, an increase of over 15% compared to the previous year.
However, the statutory timeframe for issuing EHCPs has seen a slight decline, with less than half of plans being completed on time. This delay is a concern for families like Karen Quinn's, whose son Adam, aged 11 and diagnosed with autism, ADHD, and dyslexia, is awaiting an EHCP crucial for his transition to secondary school.
In response to these trends, the government has proposed reforms to the SEND system, which, if implemented from 2030, would see fewer children qualifying for EHCPs. Instead, the focus will shift to individual support plans (ISPs) for the majority of children with SEND, with EHCPs reserved for those with the most complex needs. This proposal has drawn criticism from families and campaigners who fear a potential erosion of legal rights to support.
Guidance on creating 'inclusion bases' in mainstream schools has also been released, intended to provide targeted support within the school environment. Education Secretary Bridget Phillipson expressed her belief that all young people should receive a high-quality education at their local school, aiming to eliminate the current 'postcode lottery' in SEND provision. However, charities like Ambitious About Autism and teaching unions such as NASUWT have voiced concerns that these inclusion bases might lead to further segregation and that schools and teachers are being asked to implement changes without adequate clear expectations or support.