(England) MORE THAN 20% OF STUDENTS RECEIVE SPED SUPPORT; driven by increase in ASD
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More than one in five pupils in England - around 1.8 million children - are receiving support for special educational needs and disabilities (SEND).
That's according to the first annual statistics published since the government set out plans to overhaul the SEND system and change the level of support children can get.
Ministers say billions of pounds will be invested to make all mainstream schools "truly inclusive", but some have criticised the proposals, with one SEND charity saying they could "strip away" legal protections for children needing support.
How does SEND support work?
SEND support is provided to children and young people who need extra help to meet their physical, communication, social, emotional or mental health needs.
In England, if a child or young person needs more support than is typically provided in mainstream schools, their parent or carer can apply for an education, health and care plan (EHCP). This identifies their needs and sets out the support they should receive. Local councils are responsible for ensuring EHCPs are followed.
EHCPs can stay in place until the age of 25, as long as the young person remains in the education system.
How many children get SEND support and why has the number risen?
Over 1.8 million pupils in England's schools receive support for special educational needs, more than one in five. That is an increase of 91,400 (5.2%) since 2025.
The latest Department for Education figures show what 6% of all students (539,000) - or just under a third of those with SEND - get the highest level of support through an EHCP. That is up from 5.3% in 2025.
In total, 639,000 young people up to the age of 25 have EHCPs in England, a number that has more than doubled in a decade.
Most of that increase has been driven by a rise in autism spectrum disorder (ASD) diagnoses. The condition is now listed as the primary need in a third of all EHCPs.
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