Meeting the Rising Demand for Tailored SEND Support
By Dani Jones
At Equal Education, we believe that real change comes from those working closest to the challenges and the opportunities in our schools. In this piece, our Partnerships Account Manager draws on her experience as a former SENDCo and school Senior Leader to reflect on the urgent and rising need for tailored support for children with SEND.
The number of pupils in England with an Education, Health and Care Plan (EHCP) has reached an all-time high this year, with 1 in 20 pupils (5.3%) now in receipt of an EHCP, as reported in these new figures. The surge is not only a sign of growing identification of Special Educational Needs and Disabilities (SEND), but also a reflection of the increasing need for robust support systems to help all young people thrive in their education. This represents the largest number of EHCPs ever recorded, underscoring the rising need for tailored educational provision to meet the diverse and complex challenges faced by learners.
As a former SENDCo and school Senior Leader, I’ve seen firsthand the year-on-year rise of children identified with additional needs and the critical importance of providing educational support designed around their specific requirements, and delivered in a way that allows them to engage. The increase in SEND provision, coupled with the rise in EHCPs, is a positive development, as it reflects that more children are being identified and supported earlier. However, while the statistic of 1 in 20 pupils now having an EHCP is concerning, it also highlights the importance of sufficient funding and resources to meet this growing demand. This puts immense pressure on mainstream schools, which may not always have the capacity or resources to provide the tailored support that vulnerable students need.
Despite these challenges, alternative provision, like Equal Education, plays a vital role in filling the gaps in the system. We support the education system and offer bespoke, child-centred provision for under-resourced young people with EHCPs. At a time when funding and resources are stretched thin, and students with SEND need support more than ever, we provide high-quality, specialist 1:1 tuition that children might otherwise not have access to. The funding attached to EHCPs is crucial in ensuring that students are not left behind, enabling us to offer consistent, targeted provision that addresses both their academic and emotional needs. The true value of an EHCP, however, goes beyond the financial support it provides. It facilitates a holistic, multi-agency approach that ensures all aspects of the child’s needs are met. At Equal Education, we work closely with a range of supporting adults around the child, to ensure that the child’s educational journey is supported by a wider network of care. This collaborative approach enables us to provide comprehensive support that addresses not just the academic needs of the child, but their emotional, social, and developmental needs as well.
The rise in EHCPs reflects a deeper recognition of the increasing complexity of challenges faced by young people today. From the lasting effects of the pandemic to growing awareness of mental health issues, the need for targeted support has never been more urgent. At Equal Education, we are proud to be at the forefront of supporting students with EHCPs. The positive outcomes we see with our students speak for themselves, as our tailored, outcomes-driven approach helps them make meaningful progress and prepares them for a brighter future.
