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The UK government has committed to maintaining effective support for children with special educational needs and disabilities (SEND) as part of its forthcoming reforms to the education system. Education Secretary Bridget Phillipson reassured concerned parents that funding for SEND support will increase rather than decrease. The full details of these proposed changes, which aim to address the current SEND system’s challenges, will be outlined in an anticipated White Paper due for release on Monday.
Increased Funding and System Overhaul
Phillipson, speaking on the BBC, emphasized that the government is dedicated to enhancing the support available to SEND children. “We are not going to be taking away effective support from children,” she stated, reassuring parents that a more robust funding commitment will be part of the reforms. The reforms come in response to escalating pressures on the SEND system, which many stakeholders deem to be in crisis due to rising costs and inefficiencies.
According to leaks reported by the BBC, the upcoming White Paper suggests that children with Education, Health and Care Plans (EHCPs) will undergo reassessments as they transition to secondary school beginning in 2029. In addition, all students with SEND will be provided with Individual Support Plans (ISPs) that will carry legal weight, offering a framework for tailored support at school.
Legal Framework for Support
In her interview, Phillipson highlighted the crucial role EHCPs will continue to play in the revised system. She expressed confidence that more children would receive necessary support more swiftly and efficiently, alleviating the struggle many parents face to secure EHCPs for their children. “Parents won’t have to fight so hard to get support through an EHCP,” she noted, indicating a significant shift towards a more streamlined and supportive process.
The new ISPs are intended to provide clarity and structure, with a legal basis that will ensure all children identified as having special educational needs receive the necessary support. “There are clear routes and clear principles set out in statute that will guide all of this,” Phillipson added, suggesting a move towards a more equitable and transparent system.
Concerns from Opposition and Parents
Despite the government’s assurances, concerns remain prevalent. Shadow Education Secretary Laura Trott expressed apprehension regarding the potential for existing support to be withdrawn. She highlighted that many parents have faced significant difficulties obtaining adequate support, and the prospect of reassessment could be daunting for families.
Parents like Hannah Luxford, whose son has thrived under an EHCP, voiced fears that the reforms could jeopardise their children’s legal rights to support. Luxford described the current system as adversarial and complex, stating, “I want to hear that for those of us already with EHCPs that we are protected.” Her worries stem from a fear of regression to previous struggles in securing adequate educational resources for her son.
Financial Pressures and Educational Gaps
The proposed reforms arrive at a time of significant financial pressure on the SEND system, with the government anticipating a £6 billion burden from SEND costs currently managed by local councils, set to shift to central government by 2028. This transition raises questions about how the government plans to balance funding amidst rising demand for EHCPs and the need for quality support.
Analysts from the Institute for Fiscal Studies have pointed out that the current landscape is marked by escalating costs without corresponding improvements in service quality. Luke Sibieta from the IFS remarked that the situation poses a “worst of all worlds” dilemma, with increasing numbers of EHCPs but no enhancement in the educational experience for children.
In parallel to SEND reforms, the government is also targeting the attainment gap between disadvantaged pupils and their peers, aiming to halve this disparity by the time children born during this Parliament complete secondary school. Recent GCSE results revealed that the disadvantage gap index had reached its highest level in a decade, highlighting the urgent need for effective intervention strategies.
Why it Matters
These proposed reforms carry significant implications for the educational landscape in England, particularly for vulnerable children with SEND. The government’s commitment to maintaining and enhancing support is a crucial step towards addressing long-standing issues within the system, but the success of these reforms hinges on effective implementation and the engagement of all stakeholders involved. As parents and educators await the detailed proposals, the focus remains on ensuring that every child receives the support they deserve, without the need for arduous battles for resources.
