Special educational needs among pupils continue to rise in England

The number of children with EHCPs rose by 11.6% this year compared with 2025/ File: The Guardian

According to annual data released by the Department for Education (DfE), the number of children with Education, Health and Care Plans (EHCPs) increased by 11.6% compared with last year, rising by 58,000 to a record 538,500. As a result, 6% of all schoolchildren in England now have an active EHCP, cited by The Guardian.

The number of pupils receiving special educational support without an EHCP also rose by 3%, reaching nearly 1.4 million. Combined, the two groups account for 21% of the total school population. Education leaders say the figures highlight growing pressure on schools and support services. Paul Whiteman, general secretary of the National Association of Head Teachers (NAHT), said many schools continue to struggle with insufficient funding, staffing and specialist resources despite rising demand.

The government has pledged more than £4 billion to strengthen support for children with special educational needs and disabilities (SEND). Officials say the investment will help provide specialist services within schools and improve teacher training. The data show that autism is the most common primary need among pupils with EHCPs, accounting for around one-third of cases. More than one in five pupils with EHCPs have speech, language and communication needs. While boys continue to make up the majority of children with EHCPs, the number of girls receiving support is increasing at a faster rate. Nearly 58% of pupils with EHCPs attend mainstream schools, reflecting the government's efforts to make mainstream education more inclusive. Across England, hundreds of schools have established specialist SEND units and additional support provisions to meet growing demand.

Experts warn that without further investment and reforms, the education system may struggle to keep pace with the increasing number of children requiring specialist support.