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Health Inequalities

Drivers of inequalities

In this section we draw attention to some of the main drivers of inequality in youth health. There is a range of economic and social factors that combine to influence young people’s health outcomes, which are known as the social determinants of health.

One in five secondary school aged children are eligible for free school meals

Young people with special educational needs and disability (SEND)

In 2021 the Department for Education reported that just over 1 million children at primary and secondary schools received special educational need (SEN) support at schoolIn 2021 the Department for Education reported that just over 1 million children at primary and secondary schools received special educational need (SEN) support at school; this is those who receive support, not all those who might need it but do not get it. Of these 401,563 were in secondary schools. Overall in secondary schools 2.0% of pupils had a formal Education, Health and Care plan and 11.5% had SEN support (Department for Education, 2021b).

 

Again illustrating the overlap between different kinds of disadvantage, Chart D5 shows that young people with SEN are more likely to be in receipt of free school meals, an indicator of economic hardship.

Chart D5: Young people with special educational needs are more likely to be eligible for free school meals

All data correct as of 1st May 2022

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