The NNPCF welcomes the Children’s Commissioner’s School Census report, which provides important insights from schools and echoes many of the same concerns consistently raised by families through local Parent Carer Forums. Many of these findings align with what the NNPCF and other stakeholder organisations have highlighted for many years: persistent challenges in securing timely assessments, accessing appropriate and effective interventions, obtaining specialist provision, and ensuring a consistent offer of support across the country.
The Children’s Commissioner’s School Census highlights rising demand for SEND support, with over 1.7 million pupils now identified and more than 630,000 EHC plans in place. Yet fewer than half of new plans are issued within the 20-week statutory limit, reflecting growing pressure on local services. Schools’ delivery is often impacted by overstretched health and care systems, while children from deprived backgrounds remain disproportionately affected.
The NNPCF remains committed to working with partners across the system to ensure that the upcoming schools white paper translates into tangible improvements for children and families. Embedding co-production, securing equitable provision, and driving measurable outcomes will be essential to delivering an inclusive education system that enables every child and young person with SEND to thrive.
Click here to read the full report: https://assets.childrenscommissioner.gov.uk/wpuploads/2025/09/cc-the-childrens-plan-the-childrens-commissioners-school-census.pdf