The latest statistics on special educational needs (SEN) and disabilities in England showed that there were 575,963 young people with Education, Health and Care (EHC) plans.
EHC plans first began to be introduced in 2014/15 following the introduction of a new code of practice. At the time, some pupils already on roll in schools had been identified as having australia rcs data SEN under the previous code of practice. Over the next few years, local authorities transferred most pupils with statements of SEN to EHC plans.
Since 2015, the number of young people with EHC plans (or a statement of SEN) has increased by 335,780 (139%, i.e. more than doubled). Some of this is due to extending the age range from 18 to 25.
But even among pupils aged 5 to 15, which is largely our focus here, there has been an increase of 192,389 (95%). Adjusting for the fact that the population is larger, the increase is still 78%.
Data
We use data from the January School Census from 2003 to 2023 which covers all state-funded mainstream, special[1] and AP schools. We also add data from the Alternative Provision Census for any pupils not on roll in state schools but who are educated elsewhere but paid for by the local authority.