SEND Reforms: What the Proposed Changes Could Mean for Parents
- jnicholls37
- 1 day ago
- 2 min read
The government’s new SEND White Paper proposes major changes to how children with additional needs are supported in schools. Here’s a clear, parent-friendly summary of what’s being suggested.
A New Plan for Every Child with SEND
A key proposal is the introduction of Individual Support Plans (ISPs) for every child with SEND.
Currently, many children do not have a legal entitlement to specific support. ISPs are intended to change that by giving families a clear right to personalised, evidence-based help in school, following a national framework.
What Happens to EHCPs?
For children with more complex needs, Education, Health and Care (EHC) plans will remain.
The proposals suggest:
Making EHC plans clearer and more consistent
Linking them to new “Specialist Provision Packages”
Introducing an ISP alongside every EHC plan to show how support is delivered day to day
Importantly, children currently in Year 3 or above will not be moved off their EHC plan unless families choose to, through to the end of secondary school.
The SEND Tribunal will remain in place as a safeguard for families.
Why Are Changes Being Proposed?
The current system is widely seen as slow, inconsistent and difficult to navigate.
Assessment requests have risen sharply, waiting times are long, and support can vary depending on where families live. The reforms aim to create a more consistent, sustainable system with earlier identification and clearer expectations for schools.
What Could This Mean for Your Child?
The intention is that children’s needs are Identified earlier; Supported more reliably and met within mainstream schools wherever possible.
If implemented well, this could mean fewer delays and less need for families to fight for support.
If your child is currently in year 3 or above and has an EHCP, this will not be revoked or changed. If your child is just entering early years education, you will be affected if your child needs additional support and/ or has complex needs.
Changes for Schools
Mainstream schools would have greater responsibility for delivering high-quality SEND support, including:
Clearer national standards
More training for staff
Stronger accountability
To succeed, schools will need sufficient funding, time and access to specialist expertise.
More Access to Specialists
The proposals include creating local “banks” of specialists — such as SEND teachers and speech and language therapists — that schools can access without a child needing an EHC plan. This aims to reduce delays and improve early support.
What Happens Next?
These are still proposals, not final policy. The consultation period will be crucial.
The direction is clear: earlier intervention, stronger expectations on mainstream schools, and a new role for ISPs alongside EHC plans. Whether this delivers real change will depend on how the reforms are funded and implemented.
Comments