A recent study reveals that underprivileged children are more prone to having special educational needs but are less likely to receive specialized assistance. The Sutton Trust highlighted the plight of kids from poorer backgrounds who face a “double disadvantage” due to inconsistencies and complex bureaucracy within the support system.
According to the education charity’s research, 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 an EHCP. Furthermore, disadvantaged children requiring assistance tend to achieve lower academic outcomes by the age of 16 compared to their peers from more affluent families.
The study also indicates that children from wealthier households are more likely to secure an EHCP, primarily because their families invest more resources in the application process. Notably, middle-class parents are more willing to spend money on EHCP applications, with 68% doing so compared to only 28% of working-class parents.
Moreover, families with higher incomes have a greater success rate in securing special school placements for children with special educational needs and disabilities (SEND) at 41%, contrasting with just 25% for low-income families. The Sutton Trust attributes these disparities to the fact that affluent families are more inclined to utilize tribunals, with a higher success rate in appeals compared to lower-income parents.
The report also sheds light on the financial strain faced by families with children having SEND, with a notable percentage leaving employment to care for their child, changing jobs, reducing working hours, or accruing debt to cater to their child’s needs. To address these issues, Education Secretary Bridget Phillipson is devising plans to revamp the challenged SEND system in an upcoming white paper. The Sutton Trust advocates for a simplified system that ensures equal access to support for all parents.
Nick Harrison, the Sutton Trust’s chief executive, emphasized the urgent need to address the inequalities in the SEND system, emphasizing that every child deserves fair and adequate support regardless of their background. Various education union leaders echoed the sentiment, highlighting the detrimental impact of chronic underfunding on SEND provision and calling for a more equitable distribution of support based on children’s needs rather than external factors.