‘Double disadvantage’: Poorer pupils less likely to get EHCP

New research indicates that children with Special Educational Needs and Disabilities (SEND) from less affluent households struggle more to obtain an Education, Health and Care Plan (EHCP) and secure placements in special schools.

The charity Sutton Trust has highlighted what they call a “double disadvantage” affecting low-income families with SEND children, asserting that they are significantly less equipped to navigate the system compared to their more affluent counterparts.

A recent survey of 4,000 parents was conducted to elucidate the educational challenges faced by low socio-economic SEND children, revealing that those from less fortunate backgrounds typically experience the worst educational outcomes among all student demographics.

This study appears to be the first of its kind to substantiate the claim that wealthier families have better access to the SEND support system.

The findings from Public First show that 74% of middle-class parents reported that their EHCP applications were granted without issue or were successful following a tribunal, whereas only 66% of low-income parents experienced similar outcomes.

When examining tribunal outcomes alone, 22% of wealthier families achieved success, compared to merely 15% of poorer families.

Affluent families invest more in applications

While 65% of working-class parents did not incur any expenditures for their EHCP applications, only 29% of middle-class parents shared this experience.

Additionally, 11% of middle-class parents surpassed £5,000 in expenses for their applications, in stark contrast to only 1% of working-class parents. This spending occurs despite EHCP applications being designed to be free of charge.

The success rate for EHCP applications was 69% for those spending under £5,000, but this figure dramatically increased to 90% for those expending £5,000 or more. The Sutton Trust emphasized that only 49 parents in the survey reported spending above this threshold.

Middle-class families were also more likely to seek private assessments—21% utilized this option, and 23% hired a SEND consultant, while only 9% and 7% of working-class families did the same.

Moreover, families with children in special schools reported higher satisfaction and positive outcomes, underscoring a significant issue regarding the need for enhanced inclusion in mainstream educational settings.

Minister raises concerns over ‘stark inequalities’

Parents from middle-class backgrounds expressed greater levels of satisfaction with the support that their SEND children received, specifically in areas such as academic performance, behavior, interpersonal relationships, and pastoral care.

Nick Harrison, chief executive of the Sutton Trust, stated it is “unacceptable” that a child’s support is contingent upon their family’s financial means.

“Currently, disadvantaged children with SEND are suffering due to a system plagued with inconsistencies and overwhelming bureaucracy. The support required for children should not depend on the financial capabilities of their parents. We must take prompt action to improve the system for all families,” he emphasized.