Urgent Reform Needed as Special Needs Education System Faces Financial Crisis

A new report reveals that the current system is failing children and could bankrupt a quarter of councils by 2026.

The number of children with Education, Health and Care Plans has more than doubled since 2015.
Councils are projected to spend £12 billion on special needs support by 2026, facing a £5 billion funding gap.
Educational outcomes for children with special needs have stagnated or declined despite increased spending.
Parents and councils are locked in adversarial relationships due to the system's inefficiencies.
Reform is essential to make mainstream schools more inclusive and financially sustainable for councils.