Families scramble for special-needs support before England changes the rules

In England, a legal document called an EHCP guarantees extra help for children with special needs. By 2029, one in 10 school-age children could have one — double today's rate. Families are rushing to get these plans before the government makes them harder to qualify for in 2030. Headteachers call the surge "unreal," and experts say forecasts may be too low.