A recent study reveals that disadvantaged children are more likely to have special educational needs but are less likely to receive specialized support. The Sutton Trust highlighted the plight of kids from less affluent backgrounds, describing them as facing a “double disadvantage” due to the inconsistent and complex nature of the system. Research by the education charity indicates that while 26% of children are eligible for free school meals (FSM), they represent a disproportionately high percentage of those with Education, Health and Care Plans (EHCP) and those receiving support without EHCP.
Moreover, outcomes for underprivileged children in need of support were found to be lower at age 16. Only 7.5% of FSM pupils with an EHCP achieved a standard pass in English and Maths in 2023/2024, compared to 17% of their counterparts from more affluent families. The data also reveals that among all children with special educational needs and disabilities (SEND), those from wealthier backgrounds are more likely to secure an EHCP, partly due to higher expenditure on the application process by affluent families.
The study further indicates disparities in securing special school placements for children with SEND, with better-off families being more successful at 41%, compared to only 25% of low-income parents. The Sutton Trust attributes these inequalities to the higher utilization of tribunals by wealthier families, which also tend to have higher success rates in appeals.
Additionally, the report sheds light on the financial strain on families with children having SEND, with a notable percentage leaving employment to support their child or resorting to debt to afford necessary resources. Education Secretary Bridget Phillipson is preparing to revamp the struggling SEND system with a white paper this autumn, aiming to streamline the system for fairer access to support for all parents.
Various education leaders and specialists have voiced concerns over the unequal distribution of support based on socio-economic status, emphasizing the need for a more equitable and efficient system to ensure that every child, regardless of background, receives the necessary assistance to thrive in their educational journey.
