As of January 2022, there were 473,255 children with plans in place, compared with 430,697 the previous year, marking a 9.9 per cent increase.
The number of children subject to EHCPs and statements, which predated the plans, has increased each year since 2010 and the latest figures indicate further dramatic rises are likely, as demand among parents for assessments is increasing.
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Cautious welcome for SEND vision but campaigners remain sceptical
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Most recent local area SEND inspection reports
The figures show that requests for an assessment for a plan have rocketed by almost a quarter from 75,951 in 2020 to 93,302 in 2021. This is the highest figure since the data was first collected in 2016.
Graphic credit: NEU
Of those that requested a plan last year, 20,800 of parent and carers were refused. This is a small increase on 2020’s figures, when 21.6 per cent were refused but fewer than in 2016 when more than a quarter were turned down.
Through EHCPs parents can become more involved in commissioning support through optional personal budgets.
But the latest figures show that the proportion of families using this option has only increased slightly over the last two years, up from 5.2 per cent in 2019 and 2020 to 5.3 per cent in 2021.
The National Education Union is concerned that the figures also show that the 20-week target for issuing plans is being missed in 40 per cent of cases.
“The latest release of pupils with high level special educational needs and disabilities (SEND) shows that the government do not have a plan to support children and young people with high level special educational needs and disabilities," said NEU joint general secretary Kevin Courtney.
The latest EHCP figures have been released amid calls to boost investment in early help for SEND children.
In a report published this week on the importance of early help, children’s charity Cerebra wants to to see national standards proposals in the government’s SEND review to lead to specific standards for early intervention.
The earlier we support children with a learning disability and their families the better. https://t.co/4u1i5kDuFI pic.twitter.com/R7170oRBTb
— Cerebra (@CerebraCharity) May 11, 2022
Challenging Behaviour Foundation chief executive Viv Cooper said in the report that the Covid pandemic had highlighted the need for more strategic investment in early help for children with learning disabilities.
“We have an opportunity to show that children with a learning disability are valued, and to focus on early intervention as a long-term holistic approach that is transformational. It is an opportunity we must take,” she said.
National Day Nurseries Association director of quality and training Stella Ziolkowski is urging the government to boost investment to the early years sector to help children with additional needs.
“Developmental delay often first comes to light in early years settings where professionals working with our youngest children are able to identify support needs through monitoring and observing children in meaningful play and through their interactions with others,” she said.
This week exams body Ofqual has published guidance aimed at making exams and assessments more accessible for SEND pupils.
This includes using accessible language, having a clear and consistent layout where exams are taking place and not using source material or images that may disadvantage students.
“This isn’t about making exams and assessments easier, but about breaking down the barriers that stop young people achieving their true potential and making sure that exams actually test the things they are designed to test,” said Ofqual chief regulator Jo Saxton.
