Children in North East ‘being failed’

‘ORE than half of North East children who require a special educational needs and disabilities (SEND) assessment are waiting too long for it to be finished.

- DANIEL HOLLAND

New figures published by the Government show that the number of education, health and care (EHC) plans issued within the 20-week deadline from a request being made fell to just 49% in our region in 2024, down from 53% the year before.

Meanwhile, the number of North East children with EHC plans jumped by more than 3,000 in that time - increasing from 26,258 to 29,396 as of January 2025.

Education secretary Bridget Phillipson warned that the nation’s SEND system was “on its knees”.

‘There have been widespread worries over soaring demand for SEND services and a multi-billion pound deficit that could push councils into bankruptcy.