
While demand for support has rocketed, investment has failed to keep pace, leaving councils facing mounting deficits, a report from the public spending watchdog has found.
Demand for education, health and care plans (EHCP) has increased by 140% over the last decade, with 576,000 children with plans in place this year.
But there has only been a real terms increase in investment of 58% to £10.7bn over the same period.
Considering inflation funding per plan has fallen by a third over the last decade, the NAO's report finds.
In addition, there has been a 14% increase in the number of children with SEN support to 1.14mn children this year, leaving councils facing further extra costs.
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