Question to the Department for Education:

To ask the Secretary of State for Education, how many children with EHC plans and no setting are waiting for a placement that exists but is full, as against one that does not exist at all.

The department does not hold information on the reason why children are not attending the placement named in their Education, Health and Care (EHC) plan.

This government is committed to supporting local areas to create high-quality places that are suitable to meet the needs of children and young people with special educational needs and disabilities (SEND). We want more children and young people to access the right support in a local mainstream setting which will enable them to learn alongside their peers and siblings, instead of travelling a long way to a special school.

This is why we are investing at least £3.7 billion in high needs capital funding between 2025/26 and 2029/30, to support local authorities to provide places for children and young people with SEND, or who require alternative provision, across early years settings, schools, and colleges.