SPECIAL educational needs and disabilities (Send) appeals hit another record high last year, government figures showed today as families await reforms next year.

Latest Ministry of Justice tribunal data shows there were 25,000 appeals about Send support in 2024/25, an 18 per cent increase on the previous year.

This is the ninth consecutive year of increases.

It comes after the government delayed Send reforms in its Schools White Paper until early next year.

The majority (61 per cent) of appeals were about the content of Education, Health and Care plans (EHCPs), which are legal documents setting out the support a young person with Send is entitled to.

Nearly a quarter (24 per cent) were appealing against a refusal for an EHCP assessment.

Of the cases decided, 99 per cent were ruled in favour of the family or person applying.

The number of open cases reached 15,000 by the end of September 2025, another record high.

Schools minister Georgia Gould said: “Each tribunal case reflects a family forced to fight just to get their child the right support.

“Strong legal safeguards will remain, but families shouldn’t have to reach crisis point to get help.”