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One in Five Pupils in England Now Has SEND: What Schools and Parents Need to Know
- Soha Tarek
- Jun 17
- 3 min read
The UK Government’s most recent data on Special Educational Needs and Disabilities (SEND) was officially released on 12 June 2025, reflecting figures collected in January 2025. The statistics paint a powerful and urgent picture of a growing national challenge.
According to the Department for Education, over 1.7 million pupils in England are now identified as having SEND. That’s more than 1 in every 5 school-age children.
What the Government’s 2025 SEND Data Reveals
Here are the key findings from the Special Educational Needs in England: January 2025 report:
20.5% of pupils in England have special educational needs, a 5.6% increase from last year.
5.3% of pupils (around 483,000) have an Education, Health and Care Plan (EHCP). That’s an 11% rise from January 2024.
14.2% of pupils (roughly 1.2 million) receive SEN Support without an EHCP.
Primary types of need include:
Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) – 33.6% of EHCP pupils
Speech, Language & Communication Needs – 25.7% of those on SEN Support
Social, Emotional, and Mental Health Needs – 23.6%
Why These Figures Matter
This is not just a statistical increase. It represents hundreds of thousands of children who require additional educational, emotional, or therapeutic support, often on an urgent basis.
And the system is straining to keep up:
SEND funding shortfalls are growing, with local authority deficits expected to exceed £5 billion by March 2026.
Independent school placements cost around £62,000 per pupil per year, compared to £24,000 in state-funded provision.
Tribunal cases are rising, with more families challenging local authorities over access to EHCPs and provision.
What Schools Should Do Now
As the number of SEND pupils increases, so too must the commitment to inclusive education in every classroom.
1. Invest in Early Identification
Screen for learning differences, communication challenges, and developmental conditions as early as possible.
2. Train All Staff in Inclusion
Teachers should be equipped with tools to support neurodivergent learners and students with emotional or behavioural needs.
3. Adapt the Learning Environment
Use visual schedules, quiet zones, and flexible teaching approaches.
Make sensory-friendly and emotionally safe spaces available in every school.
4. Partner with Families
Keep communication open.
Help parents understand the SEN Support and EHCP process.
5. Prioritise SEND in Planning
Include SEND provision in school development plans and budgets.
Monitor progress for SEND pupils as rigorously as for other groups.
What Parents and Carers Can Do
Parents and carers play a vital role in identifying needs and securing the right support. Here’s how to take action:
Learn the Signs
Watch for:
Delayed speech or motor skills
Attention difficulties
Sensory sensitivities
Struggles with social interaction or regulation
Slow academic progress despite effort
Ask Questions Early
Speak to your child’s teacher or the school’s SENCO. You don’t need a diagnosis to request help.
Know Your Rights
You can:
Advocate Loudly and Proudly
Don’t wait for things to get worse. Early intervention changes everything.
Inclusion Is a Right, Not a Privilege
The data released in June 2025 shows that SEND is not a side issue; it is central to the health of our education system. With 1 in 5 children needing extra help, we must act urgently.
Schools must embed SEND-friendly practices into everything they do.
Families must feel empowered to speak up and seek support.
Policymakers must protect legal rights and properly fund inclusive services.
Every child deserves to feel safe, supported, and successful in school, regardless of their needs. As SEND numbers rise, so must our collective commitment to equity and inclusion.
Let’s turn awareness into action and make sure no child is left behind.
