(England) Councils see 16% increase in SPED plans in one year; struggling to cope with increased demand

Nov 14, 2025, BBC News: Councils warn of 'total collapse' in special needs system

https://www.bbc.com/news/articles/c9v127xp2r4o.amp

The special educational needs and disabilities system for children in England faces "total collapse" and the government must not "keep ducking" reforms, council leaders have warned.

The County Councils Network, which represents some of England's largest local authorities, said councils had deficits which will reach £4.4bn [$5.8B] a year by the end of this parliament in 2029, as they struggled to cope with increased demand. . . .

There were 638,745 EHCPs in place in January 2025, up 10.8% on the same point last year.

The number of new plans which started during 2024 also grew by 15.8% on the previous year, to 97,747.

The County Councils Network (CCN) says one in every 20 children in England could end up needing this kind of support by the end of the decade. . . .

There are now record numbers of pupils in special schools. In England, there are around 194,000 pupils, compared with 109,000 in 2014/15 according to the CCN.

The CCN has projected that councils could be spending £8bn [$11B] on these placements by the end of the decade. . . .

The CCN has called for the council deficits incurred by SEND provision to be written off and for changes to the law to focus EHCPs on those "most in need".

Councillor Bill Revans, Lib Dem leader of Somerset County Council and SEND spokesman for the CCN, said spiralling demand is fuelling the crisis and better inclusion in mainstream schools should be a priority.

"The whole system needs looking at, including EHCPs," he said.

"That pressure is unsustainable and it will make the system collapse within this parliament. . . .

"We will have no way of paying that off unless there is a solution from government." . . .

Reform UK are expected to set out its own plans for the SEND system soon.

The party's deputy leader, Richard Tice, recently suggested some parents were "abusing" the system – limiting support for those in "genuine need".

Phillipson favours an approach of earlier intervention, something that is welcomed by campaigners and MPs. . . .

"We've held over 100 listening sessions with families and will continue engaging parents as we deliver reform through the Schools White Paper."

Phillipson has had praise from MPs for being accessible and ready to hear their thoughts, and they point to this as evidence that Downing Street has learned lessons from the summer, when numerous Labour MPs rebelled against the government's proposed cuts to welfare. . . .

Writing off billions in council deficits would be challenging for a government already facing what's widely expected to be a difficult budget, with warnings about the existing pressure on public finances.

Ministers have signalled that reform of the SEND system will focus on increasing and improving inclusive mainstream provision and early intervention, but that would require extra resource for schools.