Commenting on the latest Department for Education figures on the number of children and young people with an education, health and care plan (EHCP), Daniel Kebede, general secretary of the National Education Union, said:
"Today's figures show another rise in the number of Education, Health and Care plans. More than 718,000 children and young people are now supported through an EHC plan, and demand grows each year. Fewer than half of new plans were issued within the 20-week statutory timeframe - a further deterioration.
"This is why the government must get its reforms to special educational needs and disabilities right. The system is under pressure and families need confidence that reform will improve support, not make it harder to access.
"For the reforms to succeed, parents must trust the system and schools must have the resources and specialist support to meet children's needs. Neither condition is in place.
"The government's proposals are not funded at the level required. Schools are told to deliver more inclusive provision, but the extra funding amounts to about £13,000 for an average primary school - nowhere near the scale of need. Specialist staff and services remain in short supply
"Demand for SEND support keeps rising. Reform must be backed by investment in schools, specialist services and the workforce so every child gets the support they need, when they need it."