(UK) N. Somerset: 279 more SPED plans issued in 2024 than in 2023

June 30, 2025, Journal: More special educational needs assessment requests made in North Somerset – as charity warns of "disastrous" waits across England 

SW England

More requests for special educational needs assessments were made for children in North Somerset last year, new figures show.

More requests for special educational needs assessments were made for children in North Somerset last year, new figures show. . . .

Department for Education figures show 1,092 requests for an EHC needs assessment were made in North Somerset in 2024 – up from 813 the previous year.

A total of 714 EHC needs assessments were carried out in the area last year, and the decision was to issue a plan in 88% of cases.

Of the new plans issued, 62% were issued within the statutory 20 weeks.

Meanwhile, 38% were issued between 20 and 52 weeks.

Across England, 154,500 requests for an EHC assessment were received in 2024 – up 12% on the year before.

The number of new EHC plans issued has increased each year since their introduction in 2014, with 97,700 plans issued last year.

Just 46% of new plans were issued within the statutory 20 weeks last year – down from 50% the year before.

Another 46% waited between 20 and 52 weeks, and 7% waited over a year.

Claire Coussins, director of fundraising and engagement at Kids, said: "There is no surprise in these figures given the realities we hear from families every day, and it is crucial to listen to the experience of those this affects most.

"Every day, we hear from the families behind these statistics – many at crisis point – waiting years for support and feeling immense guilt just for trying to give their child a fair chance."

She explained EHC plans are, for many families, "the only reason their child is able to attend school at all".

She warned the long waits are "disastrous" for disabled children, who often experience worse mental health because their support needs have not been met earlier in their childhood. . . .

The figures show autistic spectrum disorder was the most common primary type of need among those issued a new EHC plan across England, accounting for 28% of plans.

In North Somerset however, social, emotional and mental health was the most prominent primary type of need, accounting for 53% of new plans. . . .