Key Highlights
- The government will not withdraw “effective support” from children with special educational needs and disabilities (SEND) under planned school reforms.
- EHCPs will have an important role in the new system, but some children will be reassessed after primary school.
- A White Paper outlining full details of the proposed changes will be published on Monday.
- The government faces significant pressures from rising costs of SEND systems, widely considered to be in crisis.
Minister’s Assurance on SEND Support
Bridget Phillipson, the education secretary, spoke directly with Laura Kuenssberg on Sunday about the future of support for children with special educational needs and disabilities (SEND). “Effective support won’t be taken away,” she reassured. “We’re going to spend more money.” But parents should brace themselves; their child’s needs will be reviewed.
What the Reforms Mean
Children with education, health and care plans (EHCPs) might face reassessment after primary school. “That doesn’t always happen,” Phillipson admitted. But she believes every child should have an Individual Support Plan (ISP). These are legal documents that will outline support for children without EHCPs as well.
New ISP System
The government plans to extend legal rights through these individual support plans, making them legally binding. “It’s about getting clear routes and principles set out in statute,” Phillipson explained. However, she acknowledged that not all EHCPs will be protected under the new system.
Parental Concerns
Hannah Luxford, whose teenage son has anxiety, fears the reforms could take away her child’s education support at a funded virtual school. “I want to hear that for those of us already with EHCPs that we are protected,” she said. The stakes are high; losing support would mean reverting to where we were five years ago.
Government’s Broader Goals
The government aims to halve the attainment gap between disadvantaged pupils and their peers by 2035, a move that could impact SEND provision. “This is about ensuring every child receives support when they need it,” Phillipson said. But some fear it might come at the cost of current protections.
The Road Ahead
A White Paper will outline the full details on Monday, but parents and educators are already divided on the proposed changes. The government must navigate significant pressures from rising SEND costs while attempting to reform a system widely considered broken. The coming weeks will be crucial in shaping the future of special educational support.
