After almost a decade of funding cuts to local authorities, media and parliamentary attention has turned to what has been described by MPs as a "crisis in special needs care". Department for Education figures published in July showed that more than 1.3 million school-aged children had special educational needs and, while funding for children with the most complex needs has increased from £5bn in 2013 to over £6bn this year, the minister for children Nadhim Zahawi has acknowledged the huge "cost pressures on high-needs budgets" for local authorities.
To secure help, a child can be assessed and provided with an education, health and care plan (EHC) plan, outlining the support and resources they require. Where the decision is taken not to assess a child, issue them with a plan, or to alter or extend an existing plan, families are turning to the tribunal to ensure they get the support the child needs.
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