(UK) Bucks: 112% increase in SPED plans in 10 yrs; "rapid rise in demand"
- The end of childhood
- Jun 19
- 2 min read
June 18, 2025, Bucks Herald: Council warns of rapid rise in demand for special education plans
SE England
Buckinghamshire Council has seen an increase of 112 per cent for EHC plans compared to 10 years ago.
As of May 2025, there were 7144 children and young people with an EHC Plan, 7191 which were financed by the authority.
A further 1296 children and young people were being assessed, 941 of which are over 20 weeks from the assessment request. . . .
In 2023 the council issued 47 per cent of EHC plans within the 20-week deadline, compared to the national average of 50.3 per cent.
This is while the county is facing significant financial challenges related to SEND services. By the end of 2024/25, the High Needs Block, the funding for SEND support, had a deficit of £17.8 million [$24M].
Adding up to a total deficit of £24.5 million [$33M] . Spending on SEN transport more than doubled from £10.4 million [$14M] in 2019 to £22.2 million [$30M] in 2024.
The demand for Education, Health and Care Plans grew by 45 per cent over five years, and funding for EHCP provision increased by 50 per cent. However, the overall SEND budget only grew by 12 per cent, which has created a gap between demand and resources.
The council said there remained challenges to address and improve support provided for children and young people with special educational needs and disability.
Key issues include difficulties recruiting and retaining specialist staff such as educational psychologists, with 28.3 full-time equivalent vacancies in the local special educational needs and disability service. . . .
A national shortage of educational psychologists is delaying EHC needs assessments. There is also a shortage of local special educational needs and disability placements, leading to more costly, distant placements and increased complaints.
. . .Delays in autism and ADHD diagnoses and reduced early SEN support add to pressures, alongside a growing high needs block deficit.
To tackle ongoing challenges, the council has developed a SEND and Inclusion Strategy 2025-30, led by the SEND Partnership Board and due for publication this Autumn.
The strategy promotes coordinated action across Buckinghamshire, focusing on four key partnership workstreams: Early Support and Inclusion, Education Sufficiency, High Support Needs, and Preparing for Adulthood.
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