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England needs to solve its SEND crisis
Examining the costs, challenges and reforms
Tuesday 14th October 2025
Source: Institute for Fiscal Studies (UK)
According to the IFS, the Special Educational Needs and Disabilities (SEND) system in England is in crisis, marked by spiralling costs and patchy provision.
Since 2018, the number of pupils with Education, Health and Care Plans (EHCPs) has soared by nearly 80%, driving high-needs funding up by over £4 billion.
Despite this, councils are running significant deficits due to the legally binding nature of EHCP entitlements, which prioritise individual support over system-wide capacity or affordability.
The authors argue that reform, due in a government White Paper this autumn, is essential but must focus on increasing supply-side capacity within mainstream schools.
This requires better staff training, clearer expectations on outcomes and quality, and a fundamental shift in school culture.
Without a coherent strategy to build effective provision, simply cutting legal rights risks repeating the negative effects of past welfare cuts and failing children.
Read the full article here:
https://ifs.org.uk/articles/
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