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England's SEND System Faces £4.4 Billion Collapse Crisis

11/14/2025

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Councils Warn Collapse

County Councils Network warns England's SEND system faces a 'total collapse,' with deficits reaching £4.4 billion by 2029.
The County Councils Network reports a 10.8% rise in Education Health and Care Plans (EHCPs) to 638,745.
Delays in government reforms have raised concerns that EHCPs could be diluted.
Labour MPs call for funding in the budget to support councils.
Critics warn cost-cutting, not reform, could worsen the situation for families.

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Councils Address Admission Inequities

National Foundation for Educational Research (NFER) finds some England schools avoid admitting children with special needs, leaving others with six times as many pupils needing support.
Local authority leaders say exam-result fears drive reluctance to enroll pupils.
NFER finds 25% of primary schools have more pupils with Education, Health and Care Plans (EHCPs).
The government is urged to address admission inequalities in the schools white paper to advance inclusivity.

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Councils Warn Collapse

County Councils Network warns England's SEND system faces a 'total collapse,' with deficits reaching £4.4 billion by 2029.
The County Councils Network reports a 10.8% rise in Education Health and Care Plans (EHCPs) to 638,745.
Delays in government reforms have raised concerns that EHCPs could be diluted.
Labour MPs call for funding in the budget to support councils.
Critics warn cost-cutting, not reform, could worsen the situation for families.

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