Responding to new research from disability charity Sense, which found that 46% of parents had stuggled to get an Education Health and Care Plan for their children, and 39% had been been forced to home educate a child with special educational needs, Paul Whiteman, general secretary at school leaders’ union NAHT, said:

“Parents should not face this kind of battle just to get the support their children need, or ever be left feeling they have no choice but to turn to home-schooling because this help is not being delivered.

“Schools work tirelessly to put the right support in place, but capacity and investment in schools and specialist services has simply not increased in line with soaring demand over the last decade.

“This affects not only overworked school staff who review Education Health and Care (EHC) plans, but the local authorities which update plans, and the specialist services feeding into them – the sector is facing serious issues when it comes to recruitment and retention of crucial staff like educational psychologists and case workers.

“While there are no quick fixes, it is positive the new government has acknowledged the crisis it has inherited and this must lead to targeted investment where it is needed most and the implementation of a wider workforce strategy, as well as long-term reform to repair this damaged system.”