The annual DfE data shows there were 576,000 under-25s with an EHCP in the 2023 calendar year, an 11.4% rise on the 517,000 recorded in 2022.
The annual rate of growth in 2023 is similar to that seen since EHCPs were introduced in 2014 under the Children and Families Act. The total number of EHCPs has doubled since 2018 when statements of SEN were phased out.
In 2023 there were 84,400 new EHCPs issued, the largest number recorded since 2015 and 26% higher than the 66,700 recorded in 2022.
The data also shows there were 138,200 initial requests for an EHCP assessment in 2023, 24,000 more than the previous year. The number of refused requests also rose.
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