A recent study indicates that disadvantaged children are more likely to require special educational assistance but are less probable to receive the needed support. The Sutton Trust highlighted that kids from low-income households face a dual challenge and are let down by a system riddled with inconsistency and excessive bureaucracy.
According to the charity’s survey, although 26% of children are eligible for free school meals (FSM), they make up 44% of those with Education, Health and Care Plans (EHCP) and 39% of those receiving support without EHCP. Notably, economically disadvantaged children requiring assistance tend to achieve poorer outcomes at age 16 compared to their peers from more affluent backgrounds.
The research also revealed that children from wealthier families are more likely to secure tailored support through an EHCP, partly due to higher expenditure during the application process. While 68% of middle-class parents invest in their EHCP applications, only 28% of working-class parents do so, with some affluent families spending over £5,000 on the application.
Furthermore, families with higher incomes have a greater success rate in obtaining special school placements for their children with special educational needs and disabilities (SEND), standing at 41% compared to 25% among low-income parents. The Sutton Trust emphasized that disparities are exacerbated by the fact that wealthier families are more inclined to use tribunals, where they have a higher success rate in appealing EHCP rejections.
The report also shed light on the financial strain faced by families with children requiring SEND support. Some parents have left employment to care for their children, while others have changed jobs, reduced working hours, or accumulated debt to afford necessary resources.
Education Secretary Bridget Phillipson is working on a white paper to revamp the struggling SEND system, aiming to simplify the process for all parents to access support equitably. Nick Harrison, CEO of the Sutton Trust, expressed concern over the systemic inequalities in providing support to children with SEND, emphasizing the urgent need for reform to ensure fair access to assistance regardless of socioeconomic background.