In a move aimed at reassuring parents and stakeholders, Education Secretary Bridget Phillipson has confirmed that the government will not retract vital support for children with special educational needs and disabilities (SEND) during the impending school reforms in England. Speaking to the BBC, Phillipson emphasised that funding for SEND provisions will not diminish but rather increase as part of a comprehensive system overhaul.
Details of the Proposed Reforms
The government is set to release a long-awaited White Paper detailing its proposed changes to SEND support on Monday. This document comes at a time when the SEND system is under intense scrutiny due to escalating costs and growing concerns about its effectiveness. Recent leaks suggest that children with education, health and care plans (EHCPs) will undergo reassessments as they transition from primary to secondary school, starting in 2029.
Phillipson indicated that the new proposals include extending legal rights to all children with SEND, introducing Individual Support Plans (ISPs) that will provide a formal framework for support. These ISPs will be created by schools and will carry a legal status, ensuring that every child identified as needing special educational assistance receives adequate support.
Government’s Commitment to Support
In her interview, Phillipson reassured parents that under the new framework, more children will benefit from timely support tailored to their needs, reducing the current adversarial nature of the system. “EHCPs will have an important role to play in the new system,” she stated, adding that parents will no longer have to struggle to secure necessary assistance through EHCPs.
Despite these assurances, the potential reassessment of support has raised alarm among some parents and opposition politicians. Shadow Education Secretary Laura Trott expressed her concerns, stating that the notion of reassessment could be “genuinely frightening” for many families who have already faced challenges in securing support.
Parental Concerns and Opposition Voices
Parents like Hannah Luxford, whose son has benefited from an EHCP, voiced their fears regarding the proposed changes. Luxford, who endured an arduous 18-month journey to secure her son’s EHCP, noted that any potential loss of legal rights under the new system would be a significant setback. “If that’s taken away, it will take us back to where we were five years ago,” she warned.
The reforms come amidst a backdrop of rising SEND costs that the government plans to address by transferring financial responsibilities from local councils to central government by 2028. While this move aims to alleviate some budgetary pressures, it is projected to create a £6 billion financial strain on the government.
The Broader Context of SEND Reforms
The Institute for Fiscal Studies has highlighted the critical situation, noting that the SEND system is currently characterised by conflict and inconsistent quality of support. Luke Sibieta from the IFS remarked that the government faces a tough choice: increase funding, implement reforms to slow spending growth, or consider cuts.
Additionally, the government aims to halve the attainment gap between disadvantaged pupils and their peers by the end of this Parliament. Current statistics show that this gap has widened in the post-pandemic period, with the disadvantage gap index for year 11s reaching its highest level in a decade.
Why it Matters
The government’s commitment to maintaining and enhancing SEND support is crucial for countless families navigating an often complex and challenging system. As proposed reforms unfold, ensuring that children with SEND receive timely and effective assistance remains paramount. The success of these changes will significantly impact both the educational landscape and the lives of vulnerable children across England.
