EHCP Compass · The data
EHCP Did You Know — the truth about SEND in England
Every figure on this page is from a UK government source. Click any link to see the original data yourself.
The scale of need
The scale of SEN need in England
of all pupils in English schools have identified Special Educational Needs (January 2025).
Source: DfE 2024/25Approximately 73% of pupils with identified SEN do not have an EHCP, meaning their individual SEN provision is not legally enforceable under the Children and Families Act 2014. Other legal protections (e.g., Equality Act 2010 reasonable adjustments) may still apply.
In raw numbers, 483,000 pupils held an EHCP in January 2025 — an 11.1% increase on the prior year. Across all ages 0–25 (including pre-school and post-19) the total stood at 638,700.
Source: DfE EHCP statistics 2025The gate
Requests vs grants in 2024
Roughly 1 in 3 initial requests is refused before any assessment has even taken place.
Source: DfE EHCP statistics 2025Appeals
The Tribunal reality
SEND appeals registered in 2024/25 (up 18%, ninth consecutive record).
Source: MoJ tribunal statisticsIn 2024/25, councils spent an estimated £200 million defending appeals they overwhelmingly lost — over £800 million cumulatively since the 2014 reforms.
Source: Special Needs Jungle FOI analysisAnatomy of a plan
What's in an EHCP — Sections A to K
Annual review
Annual review timings — your statutory protections
- 1Every 12 months
Maximum time between annual reviews. For under-5s, every 3–6 months is recommended.
- 22 weeks before the meeting
School must give notice and circulate all advice to participants.
- 3Within 2 weeks after the meeting
School sends the meeting report to the LA and to all participants.
- 4Within 4 weeks after the meeting
LA must decide whether to maintain, amend, or cease — and notify the parent in writing.
- 5If amending: 15 days minimum
Parent's window to respond to the proposed amendments.
- 6Within 8 weeks of proposing amendments
LA must issue the final amended plan.
Duties
Who does what
The Local Authority
Section 36 (must assess), Section 37 (must prepare plan), Section 42 (absolute duty to secure F), Section 44 (annual review), Section 19 (parental participation).
Source: Children and Families Act 2014, Part 3The school
Section 66 ("best endeavours" duty for mainstream schools), Section 69 (SENCO + SEN Information Report required), must participate in annual reviews.
Source: IPSEA — the best endeavours dutyParents and young people
Section 36 (right to request assessment), Sections 38–39 (right to express school preference), Section 51 (right to appeal), Section 55 (right to mediation).
Source: Children and Families Act 2014, Section 51Health bodies (NHS, ICBs)
Section 26 (duty to co-operate), Section 28 (joint commissioning), Section 42(3) (must arrange Section G provision).
Source: Children and Families Act 2014, Part 3A balanced view
Pros vs cons
Pros
- Legal entitlement to specified provision (Section 42(2))
- Named school placement (Section 39)
- Home-to-school transport
- Protection extends to age 25
- Statutory annual review
- 99% tribunal success rate if you have to appeal
Cons
- Long, adversarial process — 34.6% refused at the gate
- Statutory 20-week deadlines routinely missed
- Disputes often end at tribunal (25,000+ appeals in 2024/25)
- Schools sometimes resist if they perceive cost (first £6k on them before LA tops up)
- Cross-border problems if you move LA
- Some parents worry about a "label that follows the child"
In practice
What an EHCP can secure
Where to go next
Continue your journey
Every figure on this page is verified against UK government sources. Last reviewed May 2026. If you find an error, please email help@ehcpcompass.co.uk.