Number of children getting special educational needs support hits another record high

Image source, Getty Images By Hayley Clarke Education reporter Published 27 minutes ago The number of children getting support for special educational needs and disabilities (SEND) has risen sharply again to a new record high, government figures show. Between January 2025 and January 2026, there was a 12.5% increase in the number of children with education, health and care plans (EHCPs) - the legal documents setting out the support they are entitled to. It is the highest year-on-year increase since EHCPs were introduced over a decade ago, with numbers now over 700,000. A spokesperson for the Department for Education (DfE) said the figures "show the scale of the challenge we inherited", adding that they were investing £4bn to bring specialist support into mainstream schools. "We're building a system where every school can support every child to thrive, while ensuring those with the greatest needs get the specialist help they need," they said. Families of children who need more support than mainstream schools usually provide can apply for an EHCP, which are designed to guarantee extra help for those who need it. Over 110,000 new plans were issued during the 2025 calendar year. The figures include children and young people up to the age of 25. The number of plans issued within the statutory timeframe of 20 weeks has decreased slightly, with less than half of plans issued on time. The number of children and young people with EHCPs in mainstream schools has also increased by over 15% compared to last year - with nearly half of those with EHCPs now attending mainstream schools. It comes after the government announced its plans to reform the SEND system earlier this year, with a focus on making mainstream schools more inclusive for children with SEND. 'I want him to be the best he can be' Image source, Karen Quinn Image caption, Karen hopes that her son Adam will be able to attend a mainstream secondary school if he receives the right support After many years of trying to get support for her son, Karen Quinn is currently going through the EHCP process. Adam is 11 years old and will be going to secondary school in September. For mum Karen, getting an EHCP in place before that transition is crucial. Adam is autistic and has ADHD and dyslexia. Karen says he's very bright, but struggles with his writing and emotional regulation. Now in Year 6, she says he has been suspended from school several times and is struggling. She says trying to secure SEND support "wastes so much of their one little childhood that they have". After putting in the EHCP paperwork in February, Karen says the council agreed to assess Adam in May, a couple of months later than expected. "It's not massive delays, but every delay is going to impact the transition to high school," she says. Karen says the EHCP would need to be issued by the end of June to meet the 20-week timescale targets, but that she doesn't think it will be in place in time for secondary school in September. "I just w