Schools across the UK have long known that demand for SEND support was growing, but few anticipated just how quickly, or how deeply, it would stretch the system.
Recent statistics make this unmistakably clear: as of January 2025 there are approximately 638,700 children and young people with active Education, Health and Care (EHC) plans, an 11% increase from the previous year.
And when you factor in pupils receiving SEND support without an EHC plan, the numbers are even more alarming. In January 2025, there were over 1.7 million school pupils in England alone with identified SEN, that’s almost 20% of all total pupils.
There are, however, pragmatic strategies that can help schools adapt: balancing high‑quality support with realistic resources, without sacrificing dignity, inclusion or safety.
Why Demand Is Rising: And What That Means in Practice
There’s a growing recognition that the volume and complexity of SEND needs is increasing. This shift is being felt across all age groups, but especially in earlier settings, where schools are seeing needs emerge earlier and in greater numbers. SEND coordinators are balancing larger caseloads, support staff are stretched thin, and even well-resourced schools are feeling the pinch when it comes to time, funding and capacity.
That doesn’t mean schools are failing, it means they’re being asked to operate in conditions that have fundamentally changed. And while the pressure is real, it’s not a signal to panic. It’s a moment to rethink, adapt and build more resilient support strategies that work for the world we’re in now.
Adaptation Strategies That Work
There are a number of evidence‑informed, realistic strategies that schools can adopt to manage rising demand while maintaining quality and wellbeing:
1. Embed Behaviour Support into Everyday Practice
Rather than relying solely on crisis interventions or one‑to‑one support (which may not always be available), begin to embed positive behaviour management and trauma‑informed practices across classrooms. Training all teachers and support staff, ensures that the school-wide culture becomes more inclusive and responsive. Simple strategies like predictable routines, consistent communication, and relational safety can reduce crises before they start.
2. Prioritise Early Identification Through Trust and Communication
Early recognition is essential if schools are to foster environments where pupils feel seen, heard, and safe to express their needs.
This means building regular, meaningful check-ins – academically, emotionally, and socially – and maintaining open lines of communication with parents and carers. When pupils are supported early and consistently, the likelihood of crisis or escalation is reduced, and the need for restrictive or exclusionary practices becomes far less frequent.
4. Invest in Training & Capacity: But Make It Realistic
Rather than sporadic, standalone training sessions, provide regular, practical professional development that reflects classroom realities. Trauma‑informed education, inclusive behaviour management, de‑escalation, and relational approaches should be part of ongoing training. Embedding these lessons helps staff feel confident, avoids skill-fade, and builds a shared language across the school.
Why This Matters, More Than Just Numbers
If well implemented, these strategies do more than help schools cope, but thrive. By adopting inclusive, proactive approaches, schools can:
- Create environments where SEND pupils feel seen, supported and safe.
- Reduce crisis incidents, disruptive behaviours, and exclusions.
- Support teacher morale, reduce burn‑out, and improve retention.
- Provide better educational outcomes and smoother transitions for SEND pupils.
Meet Demand With Purpose, Not Panic
The surge in SEND demand is real, but it does not need to lead to decline or crisis. With careful planning, practical strategies and a commitment to inclusion, schools can rise to this challenge and build settings where every child gets the support they deserve.
That means rethinking how support is delivered: embedding behaviour support into daily practice, investing in ongoing training, relying on data, and taking a strategic, forward‑looking approach.
If you’re looking to strengthen your SEND provision with realistic, evidence-informed strategies, we’re here to help. Get in touch today to start a conversation.
