England SEND Reforms: Will 250,000 Children Lose Extra Support?

New government plans could change support for 250,000 children with special needs in England. This is a big change from the current system.
By Newsroom | Education, England |

Concerns have been raised regarding potential changes to the support provided for children with special educational needs and disabilities (SEND) in England. Leaked government plans and statements from officials suggest a reform of the current system, prompting a degree of anxiety among parents and advocacy groups. The central issue revolves around the future of Education, Health and Care plans (EHCPs) and the level of legally guaranteed support for a significant number of pupils.

Context of Reforms and Parent Concerns

The UK government is planning a substantial overhaul of the SEND system, expected to be detailed in an upcoming schools white paper. This initiative aims to address rising costs and perceived inefficiencies within the current framework.

'Effective' SEND support won't be taken away, minister says - 1

  • EHCPs: These plans currently provide legal rights and a guaranteed level of support for children with SEND.

  • Leaked Plans: Reports suggest that the threshold for qualifying for an EHCP may be raised, reserving them for children with the most severe and complex needs.

  • Alternative Support: New plans reportedly aim to extend legal rights to all children with SEND through school-led Individual Support Plans (ISPs), alongside an increased focus on achieving specific outcomes.

  • Parental Reaction: Some parents express fear that reassessing educational support could lead to a reduction in their children's current provision, described as "genuinely frightening."

Official Statements on "Effective Provision"

Government ministers have sought to allay fears that effective support for SEND pupils will be withdrawn.

  • Ministerial Assurances: Schools minister Catherine McKinnell stated that the Department for Education (DfE) is not looking to end "effective provision" for pupils with SEND and that no final decisions on EHCP changes have been made.

  • Focus on Mainstream Education: The government believes more pupils could be supported within mainstream schools, with an emphasis on early intervention.

  • Inclusion and Training: New Ofsted inspections are intended to focus on inclusion, aiming to incentivize schools to ensure staff are adequately trained to support pupils with SEND.

The proposed changes raise questions about the future legal standing of support for many children with SEND.

Read More: England SEND Reforms: Faster Support for Children with Special Needs by April 2026

'Effective' SEND support won't be taken away, minister says - 2

  • Shifting Criteria: Reports indicate a potential restriction of EHCPs, possibly to children in special schools, which could affect up to 250,000 SEND pupils who might lose their legal guarantees of extra support.

  • Concerns Over "Watering Down": SEND campaign groups worry that these changes could represent a dilution of existing legal rights.

  • "Fit for Purpose" Debate: A DfE advisor is quoted suggesting the current EHCP structure is "not fit for purpose" but also that any new system would still recognize and support children's needs.

Cost and Efficiency Arguments

The proposed reforms are also framed within the context of rising costs associated with SEND support.

  • Escalating Costs: The rising expense of SEND support has led to local authorities accumulating hundreds of millions of pounds in debt.

  • Efficiency Drives: Reports suggest that an overhaul could ease demand for complex, expensive EHCPs and help balance stretched budgets.

  • Mainstream vs. Special Schools: Educating children in special schools is significantly more expensive than in mainstream settings.

MP's Call for Overhaul

Members of Parliament have previously called for a substantial restructuring of how schools support students with SEND.

'Effective' SEND support won't be taken away, minister says - 3

  • System Collapse Fears: MPs have warned that a radical overhaul is needed to prevent the system from collapsing under growing demand.

  • Early Intervention: Reports have argued that supporting children before issues escalate, alongside a shift towards mainstream provision, is crucial.

  • Factors Influencing Need: While the causes of increased need are not definitively concluded, expert witnesses point to greater awareness, better diagnoses, and broader social and health trends.

Expert Analysis and Unanswered Questions

The reform proposals have elicited a range of expert opinions and highlighted areas requiring further clarification.

"Children will be reviewed in terms of their needs assessed." - Phillipson

The stated intention is that children will undergo needs assessments. However, the precise methodology and the criteria for these assessments, particularly in relation to the proposed new support structures, remain subjects of scrutiny.

'Effective' SEND support won't be taken away, minister says - 4

The core tension lies between the government's stated aim of ensuring "effective provision" and the fear that changes to EHCPs could reduce legal entitlements for a significant number of children with SEND.

Conclusion and Next Steps

The UK government is initiating a significant reform of the SEND system. While ministers pledge to maintain "effective provision" and introduce new legal rights through school-led plans, concerns persist about the potential narrowing of EHCP eligibility and its impact on legally guaranteed support.

Read More: 303 Virginia Students Suspended After Leaving Campus for Anti-ICE Protest on Feb 13

  • Uncertainty on EHCPs: Decisions on the future structure and accessibility of EHCPs are pending.

  • Focus on Outcomes: The proposed reforms emphasize outcomes for children alongside support mechanisms.

  • Parental Anxiety: The prospect of reassessment and potential changes to current support levels is a significant source of worry for parents.

  • Further Scrutiny: The upcoming white paper and subsequent parliamentary debates are expected to provide more detail and further illuminate the path forward for SEND support in England.

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Frequently Asked Questions

Q: What are the government's plans for SEND support in England?
The government plans to reform the system for children with special educational needs and disabilities (SEND). They want to change how support is given, possibly by changing Education, Health and Care plans (EHCPs).
Q: Why are parents worried about these SEND reforms?
Parents are worried that the new plans might make it harder to get an EHCP, which gives legal rights to extra support. They fear their children could lose current help.
Q: What is an EHCP and why is it important?
An EHCP is a plan that gives legal rights and guaranteed support for children with SEND. The government is looking at changing the rules for who can get one.
Q: What does the government say about the SEND reforms?
Ministers say they will not end 'effective provision' for SEND pupils. They plan to offer legal rights through new school-led plans and focus more on supporting children in mainstream schools.
Q: How many children might be affected by changes to EHCPs?
Reports suggest up to 250,000 SEND pupils could be affected if the criteria for EHCPs are made stricter, meaning they might lose their legal guarantees of extra support.
Q: When will more details about the SEND reforms be available?
More details about the reforms are expected in an upcoming schools white paper. The government has stated that no final decisions on EHCP changes have been made yet.