Prime Highlights:
- One in three parents in the UK has requested a special needs assessment for their child, showing growing demand for support in schools.
- Many families face financial strain and mental health challenges while waiting for support, with some parents even leaving jobs to care for their children.
Key Facts:
- Over 5,800 parents were surveyed by YouGov for Parentkind, revealing that 33% have asked for a special educational needs assessment.
- About one in 20 school-age children in England currently has an Education Health and Care Plan (EHCP) for individualized support.
Key Background:
A survey finds that one in three UK parents has requested a special needs assessment for their child, showing rising demand in schools. The results come as England plans changes to special needs provision, highlighting the challenges families face in a stretched system.
It found that 33% of parents with school-age children had requested an assessment for possible special educational needs (SEN). In England alone, the proportion rose to 34%. Current Department for Education (DfE) data show that around one in 20 school-age children in England have an Education, Health and Care Plan (EHCP), with 482,000 children receiving individualized support through these plans last year.
Jason Elsom, Chief Executive of Parentkind, said that many families are struggling because the special needs system is not working properly, and children should not have to wait a long time to get the help they need.
The survey revealed the personal toll on parents. About half of those who requested assessments said they were still waiting or had paid for private assessments, and a quarter had been waiting over a year. Fifteen percent of parents reported leaving their jobs to care for their child, while 20% had taken time off work.
About one in three parents said extra costs caused financial strain, and 40% said it affected their mental health. The Institute for Fiscal Studies described England’s rise in SEN and disabilities as “staggering,” reflecting both greater awareness and improved diagnosis.
Education Secretary Bridget Phillipson has said the DfE will publish a white paper later this year, expected to expand SEN provision in mainstream schools and encourage specialist units. Many parents welcome efforts to make schools more inclusive, but some are concerned that the changes could limit access to EHCPs. The DfE says it will continue to support all children with SEN, despite limited funding for extra special school places.
