Complaints against England’s special educational needs and disability (SEND) services have surged dramatically, with upheld cases quadrupling in just four years, according to the Local Government and Social Care Ombudsman (LGO). In 2024 alone, 1,043 complaints were upheld—a nearly 40% rise from 2023 and a staggering fourfold increase compared to 2021.
The sharp increase in successful complaints highlights a worsening crisis in the SEND system, where families struggle to secure legally mandated support for children with disabilities, autism, and ADHD. The system, long under strain, has been in freefall since funding failed to keep pace with rising demand, exacerbating local council deficits and leaving thousands of children without adequate educational provision.
Funding Gaps and Bureaucratic Failures Leave Families in Crisis
The SEND system’s challenges date back to policy changes made under the coalition government, which expanded the age range for eligibility without providing sufficient funding. This has led to a widening gap between government support and the rising number of children requiring specialist services.
Matthew Keer from Special Needs Jungle described the situation as dire:
“These figures provide yet more evidence that the English SEND system is circling the drain. Families don’t make these complaints lightly – they usually have to exhaust local procedures first before they can turn to the ombudsman.”
The problems have only worsened in recent years, with Covid-19 disproportionately affecting SEND children. Many families report being left in limbo as councils fail to meet legal deadlines for issuing Education, Health, and Care Plans (EHCPs), which outline the required support for each child.
Delays in EHCPs Leave Children Without Education
One of the most common complaints involves the extensive delays in issuing EHCPs. Legally, these plans must be completed within 20 weeks, but in reality, only half meet this deadline. Some delays stretch into years, causing severe disruption to children’s education.
In one case upheld by the LGO, Suffolk Council took 18 months to finalize an EHCP, during which time the complainant’s daughter missed out on essential education. Such failures have become widespread, with families forced to navigate a broken system that often prioritizes bureaucracy over children’s well-being.
Ombudsman Calls for Systemic Reform
Ombudsman Amerdeep Somal acknowledged the deep-rooted failures in the system, calling for urgent reforms:
“We know there are significant issues with the wider system for SEND children and their families. The system is broken and will not be resolved without sweeping changes.”
To address these failures, the LGO has issued recommendations to local authorities, including action plans for service improvements. Compliance tracking has been introduced to ensure councils follow through on required changes, though concerns remain over the long-term effectiveness of these measures.
Government Announces Funding, but Is It Enough?
In response to mounting criticism, the Department for Education has pledged £1 billion in additional SEND funding, along with £740 million to create specialist school places. However, many experts believe this is insufficient to address the deep-rooted problems within the system.
A government spokesperson acknowledged the ongoing struggles:
“In a system too skewed towards specialist provision and overly reliant on EHCPs, families are too often forced to fight for the right support. We are determined to rebuild confidence, but meaningful change will take time.”
For many families, however, time is running out. Without immediate and decisive reforms, thousands of children with SEND will continue to face unnecessary delays, lost education, and a system failing to meet their most basic needs.
