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A third of parents have sought special needs report for child
The Guardian
|September 17, 2025
One in three parents have sought a special needs assessment for their child, according to a new survey that reveals a surge in demand for special needs support in UK schools.
The figures come as apprehension is mounting in England over national plans to reform special needs provision amid rising costs and a shortage of dedicated special school places.
The survey of more than 5,800 parents, commissioned by the charity Parentkind and carried out by YouGov, found that 33% of parents with school-age children said they had asked for an assessment for possible special educational needs (Sen) from their child’s school.
This story is from the September 17, 2025 edition of The Guardian.
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