The Department for Education (DfE) has announced plans to investigate the sharp increase in the number of children requiring special educational needs and disabilities (SEND) support in England. This move follows criticism from the Public Accounts Committee, which highlighted the government’s inadequate data and lack of a clear, costed reform plan.

The DfE aims to deliver a comprehensive reform strategy by the end of the year, focusing on enhancing data collection and analysis to better understand the surge in Education, Health and Care Plans (EHCPs). The goal is to enable local authorities to provide high-quality, financially sustainable services for children and young people with SEND.

This initiative comes amid growing concerns over the financial strain on local councils, with some warning of potential insolvency due to escalating SEND costs. The DfE has committed to engaging with local authorities to develop fair and appropriate solutions to these challenges.

For more details, read the full article by Freddie Whittaker on Schools Week: DfE to investigate why SEND numbers have ballooned.

Sources:

  1. HM Treasury Minutes
  2. SEND: DfE to investigate why numbers have ballooned
  3. Record 576,000 pupils have special needs support plan in England | Special educational needs | The Guardian
  4. SEND in crisis: NAO’s 8 damning findings
  5. Nearly 20 councils in England ‘at risk of insolvency’ due to Send costs | Special educational needs | The Guardian

Need a better way to record alternative provision attendance?

Are you tired of chasing attendance data through endless calls and emails? Imagine having complete oversight of your entire alternative provision cohort at your fingertips. You can.

Recommended Reading

We are exhibiting at PRUsAP Conference 2025!

We are exhibiting at PRUsAP Conference 2025!

We are thrilled to announce that DCPro Alternative Provision Attendance will be exhibiting at the PRUsAP Conference 2025, a pivotal event dedicated to professionals in Pupil Referral Units (PRUs) and Alternative Provision (AP). This year’s theme, “Back to Basics: For the Sector, By the Sector”, underscores a commitment to grassroots collaboration and sector-led innovation.

read more
Teen Mental Health and School Absence

Teen Mental Health and School Absence

Over the past few years, we've seen a worrying trend: more young people are missing school, and more are struggling with their mental health. A new study (May 2025) by Dr Megan Arnot for the Department for Education (DfE) helps us understand how these two issues are...

read more
Understanding Pupil Attendance Trends in England

Understanding Pupil Attendance Trends in England

The Department for Education’s recent report, Year-on-Year Change in Pupil Attendance (May 2025), offers valuable insights into pupil attendance patterns across England’s state-funded mainstream schools between the 2021/22 and 2022/23 academic years. By examining how students transition between different absence levels, the report highlights critical periods where interventions can be most effective.

read more