The number of children with special educational needs (Send) who have been home-schooled has more than doubled since the pandemic, ITV News can reveal.

Analysis of Freedom of Information responses from 64 councils across England shows that in 2020, 708 pupils with an Education, Health and Care Plan (EHCP) – the legally binding document outlining support for Send children – had been deregistered from schools and home educated instead.

But by 2024, this number had more than doubled, with 1,587 SEND pupils who had been educated within schools being taught via elective home education.