In a recent announcement, Education Secretary Bridget Phillipson reassured parents that the government will not be withdrawing vital support for children with special educational needs and disabilities (SEND) as part of its forthcoming educational reforms in England. Speaking to the BBC, Phillipson emphasised that the administration plans to increase funding for SEND initiatives, countering concerns that the new system could limit existing support. Full details of the proposed changes will be revealed in a White Paper scheduled for release on Monday.
Overview of Proposed Changes
The anticipated White Paper has generated significant interest among parents and advocates, many of whom are anxious about potential reductions in support for their children. According to leaks from the document, it appears that children currently receiving education, health, and care plans (EHCPs) will undergo assessments as they transition from primary to secondary school, beginning in 2029. This move is part of a broader strategy to provide a more integrated and timely support system for SEND students.
Phillipson highlighted that the proposed reforms aim to create Individual Support Plans (ISPs) for all students identified with special educational needs, expanding legal protections for those who do not currently have EHCPs. She stated that ISPs will be underpinned by legal principles, ensuring clarity and consistency in the support provided to children.
Commitment to Effective Support
In her interview, Phillipson assured parents that “effective support for children” would remain intact under the new proposals. She stated, “The assurance I can give to parents is that under the new system, more children will receive support… when they need it and where they need it.” By streamlining the process, she hopes to alleviate the existing burdens on parents who often find themselves navigating a complex and adversarial system to secure necessary assistance for their children.
Critically, Phillipson acknowledged that the current system has its flaws, with many EHCPs not being reviewed annually as intended. The new framework aims to rectify these shortcomings, ensuring that children’s needs are consistently assessed and addressed.
Concerns from Opposition and Parents
However, not everyone is convinced by the government’s assurances. Shadow Education Secretary Laura Trott expressed apprehensions regarding the proposed reassessments, suggesting that many parents might find this unsettling. She noted that ongoing battles for support are commonplace, and the idea of reassessment could compound existing fears.
Parents like Hannah Luxford, whose son has benefited from an EHCP, also voiced concerns. Luxford recounted her struggles over an 18-month period to secure support for her son, describing the current system as “unhelpful” and “adversarial.” While her son is now thriving in a funded virtual school, she fears that potential changes could jeopardise his legal rights to support.
The Financial Context
The government’s plans come against a backdrop of rising SEND costs, which have been described as a growing crisis. Starting in 2028, the administration aims to shift the financial responsibility for SEND costs from local councils to central government, a move anticipated to create a £6 billion fiscal pressure. The Institute for Fiscal Studies has outlined three potential strategies for managing this financial burden: increasing education funding, reforming SEND expenditure processes, or implementing cuts.
Given the current landscape, Luke Sibieta from the IFS remarked that the situation represents “the worst of all worlds,” with escalating numbers of EHCPs and rising costs failing to translate into improved outcomes for children.
Educational Attainment Goals
In addition to SEND reforms, the government also plans to address disparities in educational attainment. It aims to reduce the achievement gap between disadvantaged pupils and their peers by the time students born during this Parliament complete secondary education. The latest statistics reveal that this gap has widened since the pandemic, with the disadvantage gap index for year 11 students reaching its highest level in a decade.
The government’s approach involves revising how schools allocate funding to ensure that children from disadvantaged backgrounds receive the support they need to succeed academically.
Why it Matters
As the government prepares to unveil its reforms, the stakes are high for families relying on SEND support. The commitment to enhancing educational provisions for children with special needs is crucial, but the practical implications of reassessments and the shift in funding responsibilities raise important questions. Parents and advocates will be closely monitoring these developments, as the success of these reforms will ultimately depend on their ability to provide meaningful, accessible support that prevents families from feeling overwhelmed in an already challenging system. The coming weeks will be pivotal in shaping the future of SEND provision in England.
