October has been a month of difficult truths and deep resilience across the SEND community. Rukhsana Koser, SEND specialist at Enable Law, shares an overview of what families are facing and what the latest national data means.
The national picture
National trends reflect what families and schools are already feeling on the ground; needs are rising faster than support:
- 19.6% of pupils in England have SEN.
- 5.3% (around 483,000) have an EHC plan — double the number in 2016.
- 14.2% receive SEN support without a plan.
- Most common needs:
- With EHC plans: Autistic Spectrum Disorder (31.5%)
- On SEN support: Speech, Language & Communication Needs (25.7%)
- 56.2% of pupils with EHC plans attend mainstream schools.
Tribunals and delays
Appeals to the SEND Tribunal rose 42.7% last year. Parents frequently win, but delays cause real harm — only 46% of EHC plans are issued on time. Every delay is lost development, not just lost paperwork. These delays also place additional emotional and financial strain on families who are simply trying to secure lawful support.
Transport costs increasing
SEND home-to-school transport now costs £2.3 billion per year. This may lead to stricter eligibility or longer journeys for many families. For some children, long travel times can lead to fatigue and reduced readiness to learn.
Growing mental health needs
1 in 5 children and young people now have a probable mental health condition, with children who have SEND at particular risk. Distress is too often mislabelled as “behaviour.” Appropriate support requires understanding the child’s experience, not just managing outward actions.
Girls and ADHD; still missed
ADHD in girls continues to be under-recognised. Many internalise and mask symptoms, leading to burnout. Over 500,000 people in England are waiting for ADHD assessments. Early recognition is key to preventing long-term anxiety, shame, and academic struggles.
Parent carer burnout
Caring comes at a cost: 74% of parent carers report high stress and worsening health. Rest is not weakness; it is essential to sustain advocacy. Carers need practical support, not just encouragement, to prevent breakdown.
Accountability and funding pressure
Local SEND provision still varies widely. Budget strain is significant, but legal duties have not changed. A good EHCP must be specific and enforceable to protect support. Vague or ambiguous wording leaves children vulnerable to support being reduced or withdrawn.
SEND reform delayed
Government SEND reform proposals have been delayed until 2026, meaning families must continue working within the current framework — making strong evidence and clear wording in EHCPs more important than ever. This prolongs uncertainty for schools, local authorities, and families alike.
Inequality remains
Children with SEND from lower-income backgrounds are less likely to secure EHC plans or specialist placements — a clear “double disadvantage.” Addressing SEND inequality must include tackling broader social and economic inequalities.
How can we help
At Enable Law, we are committed to supporting families to secure the education and support their children are entitled to throughout this evolving SEND landscape.
Our specialised education team has decades of experience helping families secure and maintain the right education provision for their child/young person. To speak with a member of our education team and have an initial free discussion about your concerns and how we can help call us on 0800 044 8488 or fill in our contact form.
