The number of children with an education, health and care plan (EHCP) for special educational needs and disabilities (SEND) has increased by 12.5 per cent since last year, according to official figures.
As of January 2026, there are now 718,838 EHCPs in England, of which 110,708 started in 2025 – 13.3 per cent higher than the previous year.
The figures were released as the Government published ‘first of its kind’ guidance on creating inclusion bases – dedicated teaching and support spaces for children with SEND – in mainstream schools.
An LGA spokesperson said: “The Government’s reforms can improve outcomes for children and young people with SEND, but there is a real risk these could be undermined by the existing broken system.
“The EHCP figures are a reminder of the continued rise in need, which the current system is struggling to meet.”
For inclusion bases to be successful, councils should have a central role in admissions and be able to work with schools to ensure they are delivering the right support quickly and effectively, they added.
“Inclusion bases must also be focused on ensuring pupils can learn in a mainstream classroom as much as possible. They should not be seen as an alternative option to a mainstream education.”