CCN and Isos Partnership: Special Educational Needs in England - How we got to crisis point
This analysis, produced with Isos Partnership, explores how the SEND system reached crisis point in England - and what can be done.
This study, produced by the County Councils Network (CCN) with analysis from Isos Partnership, provides an up‑to‑date picture of how the SEND system has reached crisis point and the implications for how spending deficits for local authorities by this service will continue to grow without radical reform.
Our analysis demonstrates that the system has reached a critical point: demand is accelerating, costs are spiralling, provision is overstretched, outcomes are stagnating, and families and councils alike work in an adversarial and unsustainable framework. We argue that without urgent and far‑reaching change, the SEND system will continue to deteriorate, with severe implications for the life chances of children and young people, as well as the financial stability of local government.
The report finds that the core challenges identified in 2024 have intensified: more children are being identified with SEND; specialist provision is over capacity; spending is rising faster than ever; deficits are ballooning; and outcomes are not improving. With cumulative deficits from the High Needs Block of the Dedicated Schools Grant projected to reach £17.8bn by 2029, the report re-emphasises that the current SEND system now poses an existential threat to council finances.
The report finds a system ‘on course for collapse’:
- Education, Health and Care Plan (EHCP) numbers have risen by 11.5% in one year, with up to 840,000 plans projected by 2028/29.
- 19.6% of pupils now have identified SEND—675,000 more than in 2015/16.
- Specialist provision is over capacity, with 83% of special schools full or over-capacity.
- Use of independent special schools has grown by 165% since 2015.
- SEND deficits stand at £4bn, rising to £17.8bn by 2029.
- Despite investing over £30bn more over the last decade neither educational outcomes nor family satisfaction with the system have improved.
Recommendations for government include:
- Government must implement fundamental SEND reform, with greater inclusion in mainstream school a key element.
- A reset of national ambition, with a clear vision centred on inclusion and preparation for adulthood.
- Create a core offer of multidisciplinary support accessible for pupils with SEND in mainstream schools and within the system more widely, negating the need for an EHCP for some young people.
- Reform statutory frameworks, tribunals, and parental choice mechanisms.
- Write off historic SEND deficits and provide sustainable long‑term funding.