Teachers and parents have described England’s special educational needs and disabilities (Send) system as “broken”, with rising demand and inadequate support leaving mainstream schools struggling. A deputy headteacher in Manchester said each classroom now contains six to ten children with Send, impacting all pupils.
The number of children with education, health and care plans (EHCPs) is set to double to one million within a decade, according to a National Audit Office report. Despite record spending of £10bn a year, there has been no improvement in outcomes, and local authorities face insolvency due to rising costs for specialist places and support staff.
Teachers report a surge in social, emotional and mental health needs, often linked to the pandemic. One deputy head noted that teaching assistants now focus on single children with complex needs, leaving others without support. Staff are exhausted by constant crises, and the concept of inclusion in mainstream schools is seen as failing.
Parents describe lengthy battles to secure EHCPs, with some forced to quit jobs or take sick leave due to stress. Even when plans are granted, schools often fail to deliver the required provision. Experts call for a fundamental overhaul, including more specialist places, warning that the system cannot be fixed on the cheap.
