Delays to support for children with special educational needs in England are an "acute concern", Ofsted's chief inspector has told the BBC.
Half of local authorities inspected in the last school year had "significant weaknesses" in their special needs provision, the regulator said.
Ofsted's annual report also says children's education post-pandemic is being held back by staff shortages.
The Department for Education said it will set out improvement plans in 2023.
Ofsted's annual report, which is due out later, looks back at inspections carried out over the previous academic year across children's social care and education providers.
More than half of the local authorities inspected by the regulator were required to produce a written statement of action over "significant weaknesses" in their special needs provision.
