South Coast charities facing huge demand for special educational needs services
More than 18,000 children in Hampshire and over 4,300 on the Isle of Wight are requiring support for special educational needs
Last updated 30th Apr 2026
South Coast charities are telling us they're facing huge demand for their special educational needs services.
YMCA Fairthorne Manor say more than 18,000 children in Hampshire and over 4,300 on the Isle of Wight are currently requiring support.
Phillipa Spicer's CEO of YMCA Fairthorne Manor and says it's vital children are able to access the correct support.
She said: "We're seeing a huge increase in SEND demand in early years, in particular.
"This is both in numbers and complexity.
"Children are presenting with additional needs much earlier than normal, particularly around speech and language, social communication, emotional regulation, and sensory processing.
"Having increased demand creates both challenges and opportunities for SEND children.
"The longer waiting times for specialist supports and greater pressure on services means delayed progress for a lot of children, particularly at crucial development stages.
"If you don't intervene at a timely point in the progress of the child, the children often experience frustration, emotional dysregulation, and they find that transition into school can be really impacted."
The YMCA say they're responding to the demand through inclusive early years provision and outdoor learning programmes.
YMCA Fairthorne Group say their approach focuses on early intervention, inclusive environments, and long-term support for families, to help address both immediate needs and wider challenges across the SEND sector.
We've reached out to Hampshire and Isle of Wight's NHS Trust for a response.