New figures show that the number of children and young people in England with an education, health and care plan (EHCP) was up 10 per cent at 430,697 in January 2021.
Meanwhile, an Ofsted report states that some pupils with special educational needs and/or disabilities (SEND) in mainstream schools are not getting enough help to support their learning and development.
The study found that specialist support from multi-agency services often complements the support offered by schools and is valued by families and school staff, but that it is not always timely or implemented appropriately.
Cllr Teresa Heritage, Vice Chairman of the LGA’s Children and Young People Board, said it was good that Ofsted’s research recognises that multi-agency support for pupils with SEND often complements the support offered by schools.
But she added: “The continued rise in demand for overall and new EHCPs remains a pressing issue for councils.
“All children, including those with SEND, will undoubtedly need additional support in the coming weeks and months due to the impact of the pandemic.
“The Government needs to urgently complete its ongoing review of the SEND system. It needs to set out reforms that increase mainstream inclusion, provide councils with long-term certainty of funding to meet the needs of all children with SEND, and give councils the power to hold education partners to account if their provision for identifying and supporting children with SEND is not adequate.”