Young people with special educational needs (SEN) experience much higher rates of discrimination and bullying than their peers, leading to worse outcomes in mental wellbeing, life satisfaction, self-esteem and emotional difficulties.
The findings are from a new report from #BeeWell, a programme co-founded by Anna Freud. The report includes data from over 20,000 young people receiving SEN support or with an Education, Health and Care Plan (EHCP) in Greater Manchester, Hampshire, the Isle of Wight, Portsmouth, and Southampton.
It found that the rate of discrimination due to a disability is almost three times higher for those receiving SEN support and four times higher for those with an EHCP compared to peers without.
They are also more likely to be bullied physically, relationally and online than those without SEND. The results were again higher for those with an EHCP.
Dr Chris Knowles, from #BeeWell, said: “Our findings show that more needs to be done to make sure that all young people feel safe, respected, and included – both inside and outside of school. There is a pressing need to tackle discrimination and bullying for young people with SEN. Understanding the challenges they face, by regularly listening to what they tell us about their wellbeing and lived experiences, is a crucial first step toward creating a more equitable and supportive environment for all young people.”
The findings indicate that young people with SEN are disproportionately exposed to unfair treatment and negative experiences at school and in their wider lives. Findings also touch on the social consequences of living with SEN, revealing that over 11% of young people with either SEN support or an EHC plan often or always feel lonely, compared to 8.4% of those without SEN.
Professor Jessica Deighton, Director of the Applied Research and Evaluation Division at Anna Freud, Professor in Child Mental Health, and Wellbeing at UCL and Co-Academic Lead for #BeeWell, added: “The #BeeWell survey allows us to listen directly to young people so we can better understand how to work together to improve the issues that affect their wellbeing.
“The findings – that show young people with special educational needs are more likely to be discriminated against due to a disability – is a reminder to not only listen to young voices but also act on what they say. Bullying can lead to a range of adverse outcomes in childhood, including academic problems, school absenteeism and mental health problems. Working with young people locally and in schools to understand how to improve their environment and school experience would improve their outcomes long-term, helping them to thrive.”
The report comes after the Parliamentary Office of Science and Technology (POST) published a report that highlighted that the percentage of school pupils in England identified as having SEN has risen to 18.4%—a steep increase of 6% since 2023.
Some positive findings from the report included that one in three young people with SEN attend young clubs regularly—equivalent rates to those without SEN. There were also similar levels of participation to their peers without SEN in activities linked to arts, culture, and entertainment.
This #BeeWell report focuses on young people with SEN enrolled in mainstream schools. Later this year, a more detailed overview of particular aspects of the well-being of young people with SEN in special schools and other provision settings will be published.
