The number of children in London requiring special educational needs and disabilities (Send) support has climbed to its highest level on record, according to BBC London analysis of Department for Education data. Over the last decade, figures have risen sharply, with councils warning the system is under severe strain and families describing lengthy battles to secure help.

Data shows the total number of children receiving Send support in the capital has increased by almost a third since 2015. The rise has been particularly steep among children diagnosed with autism, with numbers more than doubling during that period. Parents say navigating the process for support is confusing and exhausting, often leaving them reliant on advice from other families rather than schools or local authorities.

One south London mother described how her son struggled to cope in mainstream education due to sensory overload and emotional regulation difficulties. After repeated incidents and school refusals, he was eventually placed in a specialist unit within his primary school. She said his attendance and wellbeing improved, but only after securing an Education, Health and Care Plan (EHCP), which she found difficult to obtain.

Local authorities say they are facing intense financial pressure as demand continues to grow. London Councils has warned that nearly half of boroughs could face serious financial difficulty due to rising Send costs. While councils and schools are investing in early intervention and specialist provision, leaders admit the system remains inconsistent and overstretched, with meaningful reform likely to take time.