London is facing the biggest special educational needs and disabilities (SEND) crisis in its modern history, as record numbers of children now require formal support while borough budgets move closer to collapse. Department for Education (DfE) figures show that 267,368 pupils in the capital now receive SEND support, up from 205,309 in 2015–16 — an increase of almost 30% in less than a decade. Autism-related need has risen even faster, with the number of London children on the autistic spectrum receiving support increasing by 158% over the same period. Parents describe long waits, inconsistent help and a system that forces them to fight for their children, while councils warn that demand is outstripping the funding available to meet it. This is reported by The WP Times, citing BBC London and Department for Education data.
How big is the SEND surge in London
The scale of the change is unprecedented. DfE data shows that between 2015–16 and 2024–25, the number of children in London needing SEND support grew by more than 62,000.
Even more striking is the growth in autism diagnoses requiring formal educational provision. In 2015–16, 17,832 London pupils with autism were receiving SEND support. By 2024–25, that number had risen to 46,095 — an increase of 28,263 children.
SEND now affects every part of the school system. Mainstream classrooms, specialist units and independent provision are all under pressure, while waiting lists for assessments, therapies and school places continue to grow.
Why families say the system is breaking
Parents interviewed in BBC London’s reporting describe a process that is legally strong but practically difficult to access. Children who cannot cope in mainstream schools often need an Education, Health and Care Plan (EHCP) — a legally binding document that sets out what support must be provided and where. But families say the route to an EHCP is slow, confusing and confrontational. Parents describe:
- Schools lacking trained staff and specialist resources
- Councils missing legal deadlines
- Families relying on WhatsApp groups and charities instead of official guidance
- Children becoming distressed, excluded or out of school while paperwork drags on
For many, the biggest frustration is that rights exist on paper, but enforcement requires parents to become part-time legal experts.
What an EHCP legally guarantees
An Education, Health and Care Plan (EHCP) is not advice or a school policy — it is a legally binding order on a local authority under the Children and Families Act 2014. Once issued, the council must secure every element written into the plan, even if schools are full or budgets are under pressure. An EHCP gives a child enforceable rights to:
| What the EHCP covers | What the council must provide | What this means for families |
|---|---|---|
| School or placement (Section I) | A named mainstream school, specialist unit or independent setting | The council must fund and secure the place, even if it is outside the borough |
| Therapy (Section F) | Exact hours of speech & language, occupational therapy, CAMHS input | If it says “3 hours per week”, they must deliver 3 hours — not “when available” |
| Support staff | One-to-one or small-group assistants | Schools cannot refuse due to staffing or cost |
| Classroom adjustments | Sensory breaks, quiet rooms, reduced timetable, specialist equipment | These are legal requirements, not optional accommodations |
| Transport | Taxis, escorts or specialist vehicles | If a child cannot travel safely, transport must be funded |
Legal deadlines London councils must meet
By law, the entire EHCP process must be completed within 20 weeks:
| Stage | Legal time limit |
|---|---|
| Council decides whether to assess | 6 weeks |
| Professional reports gathered | By week 16 |
| Draft EHCP issued | By week 16 |
| Final EHCP issued | By week 20 |
Failure to meet these deadlines without a lawful reason breaches statutory duty. If a council does not deliver what is written in an EHCP, parents can force compliance through the SEND Tribunal, Local Government Ombudsman or judicial review. Budget shortages, lack of staff or full schools are not legal defences.
That is why EHCPs are the single most powerful protection a disabled child has in the English education system — and why delays leave children without the support Parliament says they must receive.
Why London councils are under financial strain
London Councils, which represents all 33 London boroughs, says SEND spending has become the single biggest financial risk facing local government in the capital. The cost of specialist school places, EHCP-mandated therapies, transport and one-to-one classroom support has risen far faster than central government funding, creating structural deficits in council budgets. As a result, boroughs are diverting money from mainstream education, social care and other statutory services simply to meet their legal duties under SEND law. Councils are expanding local specialist provision and trying to cut reliance on expensive private placements, but admit demand is rising faster than supply, leaving the system financially unstable and increasingly unsustainable.
What parents can do right now
Families in London who believe their child is not getting the support they need are advised to follow a clear, evidence-based route.
1. Start with the school
Parents should request a formal meeting with the school’s SENCO (Special Educational Needs Co-ordinator) and ask for all support to be recorded in writing. This should include a list of reasonable adjustments, a targeted support plan, and clear review dates. Families are advised to keep copies of all emails, incident reports and attendance records, as these often become key evidence later.
2. Apply for an EHCP assessment
Parents can apply directly to their borough council for an Education, Health and Care needs assessment — school approval is not required. By law, the council must decide within six weeks whether to assess, and the entire process, from request to final EHCP, must be completed within 20 weeks.
3. Challenge refusals or delays
If a council refuses to assess, delays the process or issues an inadequate plan, families have the right to use mediationand, if necessary, to appeal to the SEND Tribunal, which has the power to order councils to change their decisions and provide support.
Free helplines for London families
Families in London struggling to secure SEND support or an EHCP can get free, specialist legal and practical advicefrom the following organisations:
Contact (UK charity for families with disabled children)
Helpline: 0808 808 3555
Provides advice on EHCP applications, benefits, education rights and local support services.
IPSEA – Independent Provider of Special Education Advice
Helpline: 0300 222 5899
Specialist legal guidance on EHCPs, SEND law, appeals and tribunals. Widely used by parents representing themselves.
National Autistic Society
Helpline: 0808 800 4104
Advice on autism support, school rights, reasonable adjustments and accessing local services.
Address: Weston House, 42 Curtain Road, London EC2A 3NH
Every London borough also runs a SENDIASS (Special Educational Needs and Disabilities Information, Advice and Support Service), which provides free, independent case support, help with EHCP wording and assistance with appeals. Families can find their local SENDIASS by searching their borough name followed by “SENDIASS”.
How much families are paying privately
Many London families turn to private assessments and therapies while waiting for state-funded SEND support. These costs can be significant and vary by provider, but published price ranges give a realistic picture of what parents often pay out of pocket:
| Service | Typical private cost (UK) | Purpose |
|---|---|---|
| Autism diagnostic assessment | £1,800–£3,800 | Used to support EHCP evidence and help schools understand need |
| Speech and language therapy | £48–£65 per session | Targeted communication support when school/NHS provision is limited |
| Occupational therapy | £60–£120 per session | Sensory, motor and self-regulation support not always available through school |
| Educational psychology assessment | £300–£700+ | Reports often used as evidence in EHCP applications and appeals |
| Therapeutic mental health support | £80–£150+ per hour | Counselling or CBT when NHS waiting lists are long |
Key points families should know:
- Private costs are not covered by SEND law — parents pay unless an EHCP explicitly funds the service.
- Some private reports strengthen an EHCP case, but councils cannot insist on private assessments.
- Many private health insurance policies exclude developmental and behavioural conditions (e.g., autism, ADHD) or cap therapy funding.
Before committing to any private assessment or therapy, parents are advised to:
Check whether the service can be written into an EHCP, which would make the council legally responsible for paying for it, rather than the family.
Get written confirmation from their insurer of exactly what is covered, including any exclusions for autism, ADHD, developmental delay or long-term therapy — many policies limit or refuse these areas.
Request a full itemised quote in advance, showing assessment fees, report costs, follow-up sessions and cancellation terms, so there are no unexpected charges.
The government is expected to publish a long-delayed package of reforms to England’s SEND system, including plans to expand specialist school places, improve early identification of needs and strengthen support in mainstream schools. Ministers have said the legal right to SEND provision will remain, but have also indicated changes to how support is assessed and funded. Parents’ organisations and disability charities say the central risk is not reform itself, but the possibility that eligibility could be tightened or enforcement weakened, making it harder for children to access legally guaranteed help. Until any new framework is in place, London families remain caught between rising levels of need, severe pressure on council budgets and a system in which securing basic support often requires formal complaints, tribunals or legal action.
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