That under-resourced system incentivised parents to seek a statement because without it there was little support available for a child. The 2014 act reforms replaced statements with education, health and care plans (EHCPs) for those with the greatest needs and promised improved support in schools for children with low-level SEND needs. Right from the start, however, children’s services leaders warned the funding didn’t match the ambition. They have been proved right: new research by the NAHT teachers’ union found that 97 per cent of school leaders say current levels of funding are insufficient. This has been driven by a surge in demand: since 2015, the number of requests from parents for EHCPs has risen 79 per cent while there has been a 37 per cent rise in children with a plan (see Special report).
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