Government Unveils SEND System Reforms in England
This week, the government published its Schools White Paper, outlining extensive reforms to the special educational needs and disabilities (SEND) system in England.
From September 2029, children’s entitlement to Education, Health and Care Plans (EHCPs) will be reassessed as they transition between education stages, and by 2035, EHCPs will be reserved for children with the most complex needs.
New Individual Support Plans (ISPs) will be introduced, developed by schools and categorized into three levels: targeted, targeted plus, or specialist.
The government also announced an investment of £4 billion in SEND provision over the next three years.
Education Secretary Bridget Phillipson told the BBC she acknowledged
"the big challenges around support for children with SEND".
has engaged with families, teachers, pupils, and councils to gather their experiences with the current system and their responses to the proposed reforms.
Parental Concerns Over EHCP Changes
Ailith Harley-Roberts, whose daughter Thalia has Down's syndrome, expressed concerns shared by many parents connected through her charity Sunshine and Smiles, which supports families with similar needs.
She highlighted that many parents have questions about how the government's changes to EHCPs will be implemented, especially since EHCPs will be reserved only for children with the most complex needs by 2035.
"Many of us feel that children's rights risk being eroded under these new proposals,"Harley-Roberts said.
"By the time these proposed changes come into force, my daughter will be nearly 19 years old. I am deeply worried about what support she will receive between the ages of 19 and 25, particularly in relation to her EHCP. The plans I am making for her future could be placed at serious risk."
She hopes the government will collaborate with families to clearly define how the reforms will operate in practice and listen to parents and carers throughout the consultation process.
Concerns from Former SEND Student on Support Reduction
Kadeem Marshall-Oxley, a former SEND student, believes the reform plans could
"compound challenges rather than resolve them".
He expressed particular concern that neurodivergent children might lose personalised support due to the reassessments of EHCPs.
Marshall-Oxley was diagnosed with oppositional defiant disorder (ODD), a behavioural condition characterized by frequent anger or irritability, at age nine.
He attributes the worsening of his behaviour and exclusion from two primary schools to the lack of support he initially received. It was only after receiving tailored help that his needs were adequately addressed.
"The consistent, personalised approach made a meaningful difference during my time at school. Reducing that risks making children feel overlooked and anxious,"he said.
Despite his concerns, Marshall-Oxley welcomed some aspects of the plans, especially the emphasis on SEND inclusion hubs within mainstream schools.
"Enabling children to remain with peers and avoid unnecessary transitions could be beneficial,"he noted.
However, he acknowledged that for some children, mainstream schools will never replace specialist settings and stressed the importance of prioritising understanding and supporting each child’s needs to prevent behavioural challenges and reduce school exclusions.
Parental Worries About Legal Protections and Details
Aimee Bradley, mother of three children with SEND, expressed concern about the lack of
"concrete detail"in the government's White Paper.
She raised questions about the security of children’s rights and protections in the event of a change in government.
Bradley, who previously attended a tribunal to secure SEND support for her son, is particularly worried that
"the legal routes available to challenge or appeal decisions we disagree with"might be weakened.
Tribunals occur when disputes arise between local authorities, responsible for providing SEND support, and parents who believe their child is not receiving appropriate assistance.
Under the new proposals, parents will still be able to apply for EHCPs, which will be administered by local authorities, and challenge decisions regarding their child’s support at tribunal.
"While there are some positive elements in the proposals, they require further work and clarification,"Bradley said.
Concerns About Inequalities and Support Reductions
Marsha Martin, mother of three children with autism and ADHD, founded Black SEN Mamas in 2020, a peer support network that now assists thousands of parents across the UK and internationally.
Martin had hoped the reforms would include specific training for staff to address racism and unconscious bias, which she believes can influence decisions about children’s needs, though she acknowledges it is difficult to prove.
She also wished for the consistent protections of an EHCP to be maintained throughout a child’s schooling.
Martin expressed disappointment with the White Paper’s proposals, particularly the plan to reassess EHCP entitlements after Year 6.
"The idea that children who have received a certain level of support throughout primary school and their early years could then have that support reduced or removed during secondary school is deeply concerning,"she said.
She added that secondary education is a critical period in a young person’s life, and removing established support at this stage risks
"destabilising a child".
Martin reported that many families involved with Black SEN Mamas have expressed dissatisfaction with the proposals.
"The current SEND system is not meeting children's needs, and from what we can see, the revised proposals do not appear to address those shortcomings either,"she stated.
Teaching Assistant Highlights Staffing and Capacity Challenges
Penny Hesselgrove, a teaching assistant in a mainstream primary school for over 22 years, described staff as currently
"stretched beyond capacity".
She expressed concern about the feasibility of schools delivering new individual support plans (ISPs) for all children with SEND under these conditions.
"Staff are leaving and not being replaced, so it is difficult to see how these proposed changes will be sustainable,"she said.
Although she acknowledged that inclusion hubs
"may be a positive idea,"she noted that many schools lack the physical space and staffing capacity to implement them effectively.
Hesselgrove also voiced concern about the lack of clarity in the plans regarding how children’s needs will be properly assessed and met, especially if children lose their EHCP entitlements after reassessment.
"Without an EHCP, there is a very real risk that children will not get the provision they require,"she said.
She added that her role as a teaching assistant is directly linked to EHCP funding, and if fewer children receive EHCPs, jobs like hers could be at risk.
Head Teacher Welcomes Funding but Cautions on Implementation
Russell Clarke, head teacher at Haslingden High School and Sixth Form in Rossendale, Lancashire, broadly welcomed the government’s focus on supporting the most vulnerable young people.
"It's evident that the government is grappling with a highly complex issue,"he said.
He described the additional funding commitment and the ambition to make the SEND system more inclusive as positive steps.
However, Clarke emphasized the challenge of aligning expectations with practical implementation of the reforms.
He noted that many parents already experience frustration securing an EHCP,
"something that clearly needs attention,"he added.
With over 300 students on his school’s SEND register, Clarke stressed the need for schools to be adequately staffed and resourced to deliver the proposed changes.
"Careful thought must be given to how the proposals translate into practical support - including recruitment and retention strong enough to meet growing needs,"he said.
Overall, Clarke expressed cautious optimism about the proposed changes.
"This is a complicated issue that will not be resolved overnight, but the government's ambition to improve the SEND system for young people and to make schools more inclusive is the right place to begin."
Council Leader Calls for Urgent Action and Reform
Cllr Bill Revans, leader of Somerset Council, described the government’s SEND proposals as
"encouraging,"but emphasized the need for the proposals to successfully pass through Parliament to effect meaningful change.
"The present SEND system is in crisis,"he said.
"Doing nothing is not an option. Over the past 10 years an extra £30bn has been spent nationally, yet outcomes for children with SEND have not improved."
Revans noted that many families in Somerset feel let down by the system and shared their frustration and heartbreaking experiences.
"The next 12 weeks must not become a talking shop,"he said.
"We must grasp this opportunity for root-and-branch reform."
He supports the proposal to rebalance the EHCP system so that plans are reserved for those with the highest needs.
"The council spends about £8m a year maintaining EHCPs and currently has more than 1,000 awaiting completion, with demand up 47% in five years,"he said.
Revans added that although the government has committed to taking over SEND deficits from 2028, councils face at least two more years of significant financial pressure.
"The big prize here is improving outcomes and experiences for young people with SEND,"he said.
"But the government must now ensure these reforms are delivered as promised - shifting to a more preventative, needs-led system of inclusive mainstream education."
