Overview

• The number of pupils with Education, Health, and Care Plans (EHCPs) has surged by 71% since 2018, driven by increasing diagnoses of autism and other needs.
• Local authorities face a combined £3.3 billion deficit in 2024, with projections suggesting this could exceed £8 billion by 2027 without systemic changes.
• Government funding for high-needs education has increased by 59% over the past decade, but it has not kept pace with the growing demand for support.
• The IFS report suggests reducing statutory obligations tied to EHCPs and expanding special needs provision in mainstream schools, though such changes would require significant investment and systemic reform.
• Education leaders warn that delays in assessments, insufficient funding, and a lack of specialist resources are failing children, parents, and schools alike, with the system described as being on the brink of collapse.