Oh and most of those who have an EHCP have one for autism, a language disorder, or a physical disability - not "anxiety".
January 24, 2026 at 9:01 AM
Oh and most of those who have an EHCP have one for autism, a language disorder, or a physical disability - not "anxiety".
Having experienced the SEND/EHCP system first hand, this sort of report is depressingly myopic. What is the actual evidence for overdiagnosis? There may be political consensus but where is the clinical evidence? Anyone whose child has an EHCP will tell you it doesn't bring the resource schools need.
Always good when a report gets covered well in both the Times and Guardian (+ others).
Our new paper on how the rise in mental health diagnoses has pushed the SEND, health and welfare systems to breaking point.
Guardian:
www.theguardian.com/education/20...
Times:
www.thetimes.com/article/e4b4...
Our new paper on how the rise in mental health diagnoses has pushed the SEND, health and welfare systems to breaking point.
Guardian:
www.theguardian.com/education/20...
Times:
www.thetimes.com/article/e4b4...
Overdiagnosis of children overlooks that growing up is ‘messy and uneven’, says Jeremy Hunt
Former health secretary wants to see an overhaul of special educational needs and disabilities system in England
www.theguardian.com
August 28, 2025 at 9:00 AM
Having experienced the SEND/EHCP system first hand, this sort of report is depressingly myopic. What is the actual evidence for overdiagnosis? There may be political consensus but where is the clinical evidence? Anyone whose child has an EHCP will tell you it doesn't bring the resource schools need.
This is awful. Is the government/DFE seriously considering removing statutory support & plans for children with special needs in mainstream schools? It would cause extreme issues for the children involved
schoolsweek.co.uk/ehcp-shake-u...
schoolsweek.co.uk/ehcp-shake-u...
EHCP shake-up considered as part of SEND reforms - adviser
The plans - or a new alternative - could be 'narrowed' to special schools only, adviser suggests
schoolsweek.co.uk
May 16, 2025 at 3:30 PM
This is awful. Is the government/DFE seriously considering removing statutory support & plans for children with special needs in mainstream schools? It would cause extreme issues for the children involved
schoolsweek.co.uk/ehcp-shake-u...
schoolsweek.co.uk/ehcp-shake-u...
NEW POST: Can you help accountability group Measure What Matters seek legal justice for Surrey families whose children have been denied their EHCP provision?
www.specialneedsjungle.com/crowdjustice...
www.specialneedsjungle.com/crowdjustice...
September 25, 2026 at 5:00 AM
NEW POST: Can you help accountability group Measure What Matters seek legal justice for Surrey families whose children have been denied their EHCP provision?
www.specialneedsjungle.com/crowdjustice...
www.specialneedsjungle.com/crowdjustice...
We're waiting to hear what the Govt's new proposals are on ASN/SEND/EHCP provision and we'd like to know what your thoughts are. We want to produce a podcast that truly reflects your opinion. Please email: Ronnie@bylines.scot
#ASN
#SEND
#EHCP
@empoweredscotland.bsky.social
#ASN
#SEND
#EHCP
@empoweredscotland.bsky.social
Children with special educational needs have been let down again and again. That ends right now | Bridget Phillipson
Too many young people go out into the world ill equipped. We’ll change that: we’ll give more rights and support to them and their families, says education secretary Bridget Phillipson
www.theguardian.com
February 23, 2026 at 9:30 AM
We're waiting to hear what the Govt's new proposals are on ASN/SEND/EHCP provision and we'd like to know what your thoughts are. We want to produce a podcast that truly reflects your opinion. Please email: Ronnie@bylines.scot
#ASN
#SEND
#EHCP
@empoweredscotland.bsky.social
#ASN
#SEND
#EHCP
@empoweredscotland.bsky.social
It’s a shame you didn’t talk to any parent representative groups for this story, who would have something to say about this idea of an ehcp being a golden ticket!
March 9, 2025 at 12:04 PM
It’s a shame you didn’t talk to any parent representative groups for this story, who would have something to say about this idea of an ehcp being a golden ticket!
Our excellent Inclusion Lead went to an attendance briefing today. Three main messages were:
keep a register every day
don't off role kids without telling their parents
SEND kids have low attendance (especially EHCP kids!)
That some schools don't know this terrifies me.
keep a register every day
don't off role kids without telling their parents
SEND kids have low attendance (especially EHCP kids!)
That some schools don't know this terrifies me.
September 21, 2026 at 1:18 PM
Our excellent Inclusion Lead went to an attendance briefing today. Three main messages were:
keep a register every day
don't off role kids without telling their parents
SEND kids have low attendance (especially EHCP kids!)
That some schools don't know this terrifies me.
keep a register every day
don't off role kids without telling their parents
SEND kids have low attendance (especially EHCP kids!)
That some schools don't know this terrifies me.
Telegraph on the SEND reforms here, playing its allotted role like a pantomime dame. I'd like them to find someone with an EHCP who fits this description. Go on.
February 24, 2026 at 9:26 PM
Telegraph on the SEND reforms here, playing its allotted role like a pantomime dame. I'd like them to find someone with an EHCP who fits this description. Go on.
First our government didn’t stand up for clinically vulnerable people on COVID - restricting vaccines/failing to change guidance on clean air.
Then they ignore long covid.
Then they abandoned disabled people. Introducing the welfare bill.
Now they are planning to remove EHCP from SEN children.
Then they ignore long covid.
Then they abandoned disabled people. Introducing the welfare bill.
Now they are planning to remove EHCP from SEN children.
July 12, 2025 at 8:55 AM
First our government didn’t stand up for clinically vulnerable people on COVID - restricting vaccines/failing to change guidance on clean air.
Then they ignore long covid.
Then they abandoned disabled people. Introducing the welfare bill.
Now they are planning to remove EHCP from SEN children.
Then they ignore long covid.
Then they abandoned disabled people. Introducing the welfare bill.
Now they are planning to remove EHCP from SEN children.
Written by someone who believes it’s easy to get your child diagnosed and then granted a golden ticket in the form of an EHCP. No idea how hard parents of special needs children have to work to be acknowledged. (My initial response was fuck off).
March 28, 2026 at 11:58 PM
Written by someone who believes it’s easy to get your child diagnosed and then granted a golden ticket in the form of an EHCP. No idea how hard parents of special needs children have to work to be acknowledged. (My initial response was fuck off).
God, what a rollercoaster this all is.
Just had a call from the SEN team. Requested school, that said they couldn't take 10yo, have now been named on his EHCP. That means they HAVE to take him. They'll contact us with a start date once they know.
He was so happy when I told him he couldn't speak 🥺
Just had a call from the SEN team. Requested school, that said they couldn't take 10yo, have now been named on his EHCP. That means they HAVE to take him. They'll contact us with a start date once they know.
He was so happy when I told him he couldn't speak 🥺
September 28, 2026 at 1:36 PM
God, what a rollercoaster this all is.
Just had a call from the SEN team. Requested school, that said they couldn't take 10yo, have now been named on his EHCP. That means they HAVE to take him. They'll contact us with a start date once they know.
He was so happy when I told him he couldn't speak 🥺
Just had a call from the SEN team. Requested school, that said they couldn't take 10yo, have now been named on his EHCP. That means they HAVE to take him. They'll contact us with a start date once they know.
He was so happy when I told him he couldn't speak 🥺
The phrase 'special treatment' is not appropriate - it's adaptations for a child to gain parity re: access to education. Can understand confusion and frustration re: extra time in exams (which is less formal/ outside of EHCP process) but an EHCP is abt targeted support for e.g. dyslexia, ASD etc.
September 6, 2026 at 6:36 PM
The phrase 'special treatment' is not appropriate - it's adaptations for a child to gain parity re: access to education. Can understand confusion and frustration re: extra time in exams (which is less formal/ outside of EHCP process) but an EHCP is abt targeted support for e.g. dyslexia, ASD etc.
Also, nobody who had any experience or understanding of just how incredibly difficult it is to get an EHCP could say such a profoundly stupid and ignorant thing. For many parents, getting an EHCP written and approved involves a lengthy, stressful, and EXPENSIVE legal battle with local authorities.
September 4, 2025 at 5:46 AM
Also, nobody who had any experience or understanding of just how incredibly difficult it is to get an EHCP could say such a profoundly stupid and ignorant thing. For many parents, getting an EHCP written and approved involves a lengthy, stressful, and EXPENSIVE legal battle with local authorities.
From the perspective of someone who taught for 2 years in the UK, the implication that an EHCP is easy to get is laughable. I would see a lot of need at a level where an EHCP is not realistic.
August 28, 2025 at 9:09 AM
From the perspective of someone who taught for 2 years in the UK, the implication that an EHCP is easy to get is laughable. I would see a lot of need at a level where an EHCP is not realistic.
This literally applies to me, a US citizen living in the UK who has a British-born child (with a British dad) with autism and an EHCP. "It's not acceptable to the people who pay taxes," this man says. I pay £25K in tax every year!
July 7, 2025 at 10:55 AM
This literally applies to me, a US citizen living in the UK who has a British-born child (with a British dad) with autism and an EHCP. "It's not acceptable to the people who pay taxes," this man says. I pay £25K in tax every year!
Reform are now attacking families of children with SEND – claiming they’re abusing the system for free transport, as if an EHCP is just a taxi account, that you can call the council & set up over the phone.
It’s shameful. Families fight hard to get the support their children deserve.
(1/2)
It’s shameful. Families fight hard to get the support their children deserve.
(1/2)
September 7, 2025 at 5:43 PM
Reform are now attacking families of children with SEND – claiming they’re abusing the system for free transport, as if an EHCP is just a taxi account, that you can call the council & set up over the phone.
It’s shameful. Families fight hard to get the support their children deserve.
(1/2)
It’s shameful. Families fight hard to get the support their children deserve.
(1/2)
It's incredibly hard to get an EHCP. They don't just hand them out like sweeties.
September 6, 2026 at 6:19 PM
It's incredibly hard to get an EHCP. They don't just hand them out like sweeties.
Cut my kid’s EHCP and I will not be held responsible for my actions.
Labour needs to realise - FUCKING sharpish - that there is nothing left to cut. There are only life support systems left.
It's time to either tax the rich properly or watch the country go down in flames.
It's time to either tax the rich properly or watch the country go down in flames.
This is a full page in The Sun. It's going to be an interesting summer.
May 30, 2025 at 7:52 AM
Cut my kid’s EHCP and I will not be held responsible for my actions.
I read a story yesterday about a woman who has a daughter with Downs Syndrome. The Local Authority is refusing to assess her needs or to start the process of an EHCP. It is their statutory duty to provide this, yet they are stonewalling.
May 16, 2026 at 8:10 AM
I read a story yesterday about a woman who has a daughter with Downs Syndrome. The Local Authority is refusing to assess her needs or to start the process of an EHCP. It is their statutory duty to provide this, yet they are stonewalling.
„Hier hast du eine Nuss. Wenn du wirklich einen allergischen Schock bekommst, glauben wir dir“
www.mylondon.news/news/east-lo...
www.mylondon.news/news/east-lo...
Autistic boy to be forced by council to ride bus to prove meltdown claim
Hackney Council says a supporting letter from a head teacher which includes details from medical professionals, plus an autism diagnosis and EHCP are not enough evidence
www.mylondon.news
March 15, 2026 at 8:13 AM
„Hier hast du eine Nuss. Wenn du wirklich einen allergischen Schock bekommst, glauben wir dir“
www.mylondon.news/news/east-lo...
www.mylondon.news/news/east-lo...
Wow. After nearly three years, diagnosis, mediation, a tribunal and FINALLY an assessment, my eldest has been awarded an EHCP by the Local Authority.
Which means the only people who now don’t believe she needs extra support are Kemi Badenoch and her grandmother.
Which means the only people who now don’t believe she needs extra support are Kemi Badenoch and her grandmother.
February 11, 2026 at 1:56 PM
Wow. After nearly three years, diagnosis, mediation, a tribunal and FINALLY an assessment, my eldest has been awarded an EHCP by the Local Authority.
Which means the only people who now don’t believe she needs extra support are Kemi Badenoch and her grandmother.
Which means the only people who now don’t believe she needs extra support are Kemi Badenoch and her grandmother.
There is a possible world where we don't have to be pathologised in order to access support. The aim isn't to stop support, the aim is to be treated like humans.
https://buff.ly/3PAuS9C
#ActuallyAutistic #autism #Autistic #AuDHD #neurodiversity #EHCP #SpecialEducation #SpecialEducationalNeeds
https://buff.ly/3PAuS9C
#ActuallyAutistic #autism #Autistic #AuDHD #neurodiversity #EHCP #SpecialEducation #SpecialEducationalNeeds
January 14, 2025 at 1:45 PM
There is a possible world where we don't have to be pathologised in order to access support. The aim isn't to stop support, the aim is to be treated like humans.
https://buff.ly/3PAuS9C
#ActuallyAutistic #autism #Autistic #AuDHD #neurodiversity #EHCP #SpecialEducation #SpecialEducationalNeeds
https://buff.ly/3PAuS9C
#ActuallyAutistic #autism #Autistic #AuDHD #neurodiversity #EHCP #SpecialEducation #SpecialEducationalNeeds
Shall we organise a reception for MPs to meet universal credit claimants, parents of children with EHCP and climate charities actually doing action rather than investing in carbon capture?
July 9, 2025 at 6:03 PM
Shall we organise a reception for MPs to meet universal credit claimants, parents of children with EHCP and climate charities actually doing action rather than investing in carbon capture?
Tomorrow I have a phone call with an Ed. Psych., then a meeting/home visit with the EHCP social worker, then an after-school zoom call with the Ed. Psych. again, this time with 8yo in tow. I'm pleased things are moving along with his EHCP, but. It. Is. A. Lot.
January 21, 2025 at 1:15 PM
Tomorrow I have a phone call with an Ed. Psych., then a meeting/home visit with the EHCP social worker, then an after-school zoom call with the Ed. Psych. again, this time with 8yo in tow. I'm pleased things are moving along with his EHCP, but. It. Is. A. Lot.