Olivia HayesA landmark survey published in March 2026 has revealed a troubling shortfall in childcare provision for children with special educational needs and disabilities (SEND) across England, with only 44% of local authorities reporting they can provide adequate early years support. The figure plummets to just 23% for school-aged children, according to the Coram Childcare Survey 2026—a 25-year retrospective study that paints a stark picture of the challenges facing families with disabled children.
The findings, released by Coram Family and Childcare this month, come as the UK government rolls out expanded childcare funding that promises to reduce costs for eligible families by 39% compared to 2025. Yet while mainstream childcare becomes more affordable, children with SEND continue to face a postcode lottery when it comes to accessing appropriate care and education.
Critical Gaps in SEND Provision
The Coram survey, which surveyed local authorities across England, highlights a system struggling to meet statutory obligations. While 44% of councils report adequate provision for early years SEND childcare, the drop to 23% for school-aged children suggests the problem intensifies as children grow older and their educational needs become more complex.
During a House of Lords debate on March 12, 2026, peers raised concerns about the widening gap between policy promises and on-the-ground reality. One speaker noted that families with children who have autism, ADHD, or dyslexia often find themselves navigating a fragmented system where mainstream nurseries and schools lack the resources or training to provide appropriate support.
The regional picture is equally concerning. In Scotland, average childcare costs for part-time provision under age two stand at £133 per week—up 5% from the previous year. Wales has seen an 8% increase, with families paying an average of £166 per week. Meanwhile, ineligible English families face costs of £189 per week for part-time childcare for under-twos, making it one of the most expensive childcare markets in the UK.
The Financial Burden on Families
For families who do qualify for government support, the picture has improved. Eligible households can now access 30 hours of funded childcare per week for 38 weeks per year, starting from when their child is nine months old. This has driven a 39% reduction in full-time childcare costs compared to 2025—a significant relief for working parents.
However, the system remains complex and uneven. Families with three or more children saw a boost in March 2026, with Universal Credit expanding to provide an additional £736 per additional child. Yet these financial interventions do little to address the fundamental shortage of specialist provision for children with SEND.
When councils cannot meet demand, families face impossible choices: reduce working hours, pay for expensive private alternatives, or leave their children without the support they need to thrive. For many, the answer lies in seeking out specialist private tutors who can fill the gaps left by overstretched public services.
Private Tutors: A Lifeline for SEND Families
As mainstream childcare and school provision falls short, an increasing number of families are turning to private tutors who specialise in working with children with special educational needs. Unlike traditional classroom settings, one-to-one tuition offers a bespoke learning environment tailored to each child's specific requirements.
Specialist tutors provide vital support for children with dyslexia, helping them develop literacy skills through structured phonics programmes and multisensory learning techniques. For children with ADHD, tutors can create focused, short-burst learning sessions that work with—rather than against—their natural attention patterns. Children on the autism spectrum benefit from predictable routines, clear communication, and sensory-friendly learning spaces that many tutors can provide in home settings.
Crucially, specialist tutors often have expertise in navigating Education, Health and Care Plans (EHCPs)—the statutory documents that outline the support a child with SEND should receive. When schools struggle to implement EHCPs due to resource constraints, private tutors can bridge the gap, ensuring children don't fall behind academically while families fight for appropriate provision.
The flexibility of private tuition also addresses another challenge highlighted by the Coram survey: the lack of school-age SEND childcare. For older children who cannot access after-school clubs or holiday provision due to their disabilities, regular sessions with a specialist tutor provide both educational continuity and crucial respite for working parents.
Understanding the SEND Childcare Crisis
The roots of the current crisis are complex. Local authority budgets have been squeezed for over a decade, leaving SEND services underfunded and understaffed. Meanwhile, the number of children identified with special educational needs has risen—now accounting for approximately 16% of the school population in England.
Mainstream childcare settings often lack the training, staffing ratios, and physical adaptations required to support children with complex needs. This creates a vicious cycle: demand for specialist provision grows while supply stagnates, forcing families into private markets or leaving them without support entirely.
The Coram survey's findings suggest this isn't just a London or urban problem. Rural local authorities struggle even more acutely, with smaller populations making it harder to sustain specialist services. Families in these areas may travel significant distances to access appropriate childcare—or simply go without.
Finding Specialist Support
For families navigating this difficult landscape, finding the right support is critical. Specialist education platforms like ExpertZoom connect families with qualified private tutors who have experience working with children with SEND. These tutors can provide tailored learning plans that complement school provision, help children catch up when they've missed educational opportunities, or offer intensive support during transitions between educational settings.
When choosing a tutor, families should look for professionals with relevant qualifications—such as specific SEND training, experience with assistive technologies, or backgrounds in educational psychology. Many specialist tutors also offer initial consultations to assess a child's needs and create a personalised learning programme that aligns with their EHCP goals.
While private tuition cannot replace the systemic reform needed to improve SEND childcare provision across England, it offers families an immediate, practical solution when public services fall short. As the Coram survey makes clear, 25 years into the 21st century, too many families are still waiting for the support their children are entitled to.
Looking Ahead
The Coram Childcare Survey 2026 serves as both a milestone—marking a quarter-century of tracking childcare provision—and a warning. Despite policy interventions and funding increases for mainstream childcare, children with SEND remain underserved. The gap between eligible and ineligible families widens, and regional disparities persist.
For the 56% of local authorities unable to provide adequate early years SEND childcare, and the 77% failing school-aged children, the path forward requires sustained investment, better training for childcare providers, and structural reform of how SEND services are funded and delivered.
Until that transformation occurs, families will continue to rely on the flexibility and expertise of specialist private tutors to ensure their children receive the education and support they deserve. Finding a qualified tutor with SEND expertise can make the difference between a child falling through the cracks and reaching their full potential—a reality that underscores both the urgency of the crisis and the importance of accessible specialist support.
