Rising needs in early years children seen by councils and practitioners

A new independent report commissioned by the Local Government Association (LGA) has found that councils and early years practitioners across England are experiencing a clear rise in both the volume and complexity of needs among children under five.

The study, ‘Rising needs in the early years?’, carried out by Isos Partnership, is being launched at the National Children and Adult Services Conference in Bournemouth, which opens on Wednesday (26 November). It highlights widespread concern from those working with young children about escalating support pressures and the strain this is placing on early years provision.

In the survey conducted for the report, every council that took part, plus nine in ten practitioners, said they had seen an increase in early years needs. Providers reported putting additional support in place to manage more complex presentations.

The most significant shift, practitioners said, is the rapid rise in children with communication and interaction needs, including many arriving with very limited or no language and difficulties with social communication. Contributing factors identified in the research include rising poverty, family stress and hardship, increased neurodivergence, and the lasting developmental impacts of pandemic lockdowns.

As one council early years lead put it: “The walls of the classroom have changed, and we have to change with them.”

However, the report also highlights the growing strain on early years settings as they attempt to adapt. Nearly four in 10 providers said they had reduced hours for children needing extra support, while almost a quarter reported having to turn children away altogether because they could not meet their needs.

When asked what would improve support, three quarters (75 per cent) of practitioners called for better access to funding. Almost half (48 per cent) said more early years specialist provision was required. Among council early years leads, two thirds (66 per cent) said a national workforce strategy was needed to raise skills and capacity, and more than half (56 per cent) wanted reforms to the school curriculum and reception-year expectations.

Department for Education data also confirms this upward trend. Growth in new Education, Health and Care Plans (EHCPs) for under-fives now exceeds that of the wider EHCP cohort, with ages four and five now the most common points at which plans are issued.

The LGA, which represents councils, is urging the Government to prioritise early years inclusivity within wider SEND reforms expected in the forthcoming Schools White Paper.

Cllr Amanda Hopgood, Chair of the LGA’s Children, Young People and Families Committee, said: “The early years are a critical time in any child’s development. Getting it right in the early years and ensuring a seamless transition to reception can improve outcomes for children and families.

“We know that promoting inclusion and supporting children who need additional support is a core part of the Government’s Best Start in Life agenda and improving high quality early education take up and wraparound support will help councils to ensure more children reach a good level of development.

“This report highlights the significant challenges faced by councils and providers in supporting early years children with additional needs.

“We urge government to act on these concerns when it sets out its reforms to the education system.”

The findings add to growing concern within the sector that pressures across early years, education and SEND are converging, and that without coordinated national action, more children may miss out on the early help and inclusive support they need.