Pupils with Send plans in England likely to double to one in 10 in rush for support

The Guardian UK Sunday 06 September 2026, 16:00 UTC By Richard Adams Education editor 1 min read

Key Points

Schools and councils express financial concerns as EHCP applications surge before potential change in provision‘Powerful example’: minister looks to Essex school for blueprint to transform Send provisionSchools and councils across England are expecting the proportion of children with special needs plans to double to one in 10, with families rushing to secure support before ministers bring in changes. Headteachers have reported an “unreal” surge in applications for education, health and care...

Schools and councils express financial concerns as EHCP applications surge before potential change in provision

‘Powerful example’: minister looks to Essex school for blueprint to transform Send provision

Schools and councils across England are expecting the proportion of children with special needs plans to double to one in 10, with families rushing to secure support before ministers bring in changes.

Headteachers have reported an “unreal” surge in applications for education, health and care plans (EHCPs) mandating support for needs or disabilities such as speech and learning difficulties, autism or ADHD. In 2025, just one in 20 school-age children had EHCPs.

England (LOCATION) Schools (ORG) Essex (LOCATION) EHCPs (ORG)

Originally published by The Guardian UK Read original →

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‘Powerful example’: minister looks to Essex school for blueprint to transform Send provision

Georgia Gould says moving system towards inclusion will mean parents ‘don’t need to fight’ for support in futurePupils with Send plans in England likely to double in rush for supportGeorgia Gould is in a race against time. And the minister responsible for overhauling England’s special educational needs provision is hoping that a state school in Colchester will help her beat the clock. Gould visited Thomas Lord Audley secondary school last week to see the secrets of its success in persuading...

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