New Report Warns Disadvantaged Families Are Being Left Behind in England’s SEND System
Findings Reveal Deep Inequalities in Access to Support
A new report from the Sutton Trust has revealed stark inequalities facing children with special educational needs and disabilities (SEND) in England. The study warns that children from lower-income families are at a particular disadvantage, often left behind by a system that rewards those with greater financial means and professional influence.
According to the report, more than 1.7 million children in England are identified as having SEND — a rise of 5.6% over the past year. But while the government’s figures show growing need, children from poorer backgrounds remain over-represented and under-supported within the system. Among those with an Education, Health and Care (EHC) plan — a legally binding document outlining tailored support — 43.8% are eligible for free school meals, compared to 25.7% nationally.
Yet wealthier parents are still far more likely to secure the plans and specialist school places their children need. The Sutton Trust found that 41% of middle-class parents obtained a special school place for their SEND child, compared to just 25% among working-class families.
Families Describe an ‘Arduous’ and Unequal Process
For many parents, the emotional, financial, and practical toll of navigating the EHC process remains overwhelming.
Parent and advocate Tiya Currie told Sky News that she invested nearly £20,000 and years of effort to secure a suitable place for her son, Arun, who has developmental language disorder (DLD). “We faced constant dismissal and neglect from professionals in both healthcare and education,” she said. “After losing income, spending thousands, and enduring two years of stress, we finally won our tribunal.”
Her experience echoes those of hundreds of parents surveyed for the Sutton Trust study, who described a complex and inconsistent system that often rewards persistence and privilege over genuine need. While 65% of working-class families spent nothing on their EHC applications, 11% of middle-class parents reported paying over £5,000 for private assessments, consultancy, or legal support.
Growing Costs, Lower Outcomes
Another parent, Ms Ali, described “a huge emotional and financial cost” after enduring a tribunal process that cost over £10,000 in legal fees and specialist reports.
The report found that SEND children eligible for free school meals achieved lower academic outcomes than their more affluent peers, even when receiving comparable support. Only 7.5% of those with EHC plans achieved a grade 4 or higher in English and maths, compared to 17.3% among wealthier families.
Sir Peter Lampl, founder of the Sutton Trust, said the data exposes a widening gap. “The SEND system was meant to level the playing field,” he said. “But it’s now deepening inequality, leaving those without money or influence to fight an impossible battle.”
Calls for Reform
The Sutton Trust is calling for urgent reforms, including simpler EHC application processes, faster diagnostic timelines, and more consistent SEND identification across schools and local authorities.
Daniel Kebede, General Secretary of the National Education Union, said “chronic underfunding” has worsened existing inequalities. “It is especially unfair that children with SEND from low-income families face a double disadvantage,” he said.
Responding to the report, Schools Standards Minister Georgia Gould MP acknowledged the “stark inequalities and poor outcomes” facing SEND families. She pledged that the Department for Education is committed to “building a system that delivers for all families — not just the lucky few.”
Government plans include £740 million for additional specialist school places, improved teacher training, and targeted early intervention support for speech and language needs.
Senploy’s Perspective: A Call to Action
At Senploy, the UK’s dedicated job platform for the SEND and care sectors, we recognise that these findings echo what many schools, families, and professionals experience every day. Fair access to SEND support cannot depend on geography or income — it must be built into a consistent and compassionate system that meets every child’s individual needs.
Senploy continues to champion equality through partnerships with schools, local authorities, and specialist organisations, connecting employers and candidates who share our commitment to inclusion. Together, we can build a workforce and a system that delivers opportunity for all children — not just those with the means to fight for it.
Explore related insights on Senploy:
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- How Flexible Working Is Changing the Education Workforce