The UK government has pledged to maintain “effective support” for children with special educational needs and disabilities (SEND) as it progresses with significant reforms in the education system. Education Secretary Bridget Phillipson assured parents that funding for SEND would increase, countering concerns about potential cutbacks to crucial support services.
Increased Funding, Not Reductions
In a recent interview with the BBC, Phillipson stated that the planned overhaul would focus on enhancing the support framework rather than diminishing it. “We are not going to be taking away effective support for children,” she asserted, emphasizing that more resources would be allocated to assist children with SEND. This commitment comes in response to widespread apprehension among parents regarding the implications of the impending reforms on their children’s access to necessary educational resources.
The anticipated White Paper, set for release on Monday, aims to clarify the government’s strategy in addressing the growing challenges within the SEND system, which is widely regarded as in crisis. Leaked details suggest that there will be a reassessment of children with education, health, and care plans (EHCPs) as they transition to secondary school, starting in 2029. This move is intended to streamline support and ensure that every child, regardless of their current status, benefits from an Individual Support Plan (ISP) with legal standing.
Reassurance for Parents
Phillipson reassured parents that under the new system, children would receive timely support tailored to their individual needs. “EHCPs will have an important role to play in the new system,” she stated, promising that children would not have to endure lengthy battles for necessary assistance. The new ISPs will be legally backed, offering a clearer framework for securing educational support.
However, concerns linger regarding the impact of these changes on existing support systems. When pressed about potential losses for currently supported children, Phillipson reiterated, “We are not going to be taking away effective support from children.” She acknowledged the necessity of regular reviews of individual needs, which, she noted, are not consistently conducted under the current system.
Opposition Voices and Parental Concerns
While the government promotes these reforms, opposition voices are growing louder. Shadow Education Secretary Laura Trott expressed significant reservations about the proposed changes, highlighting that many parents are already grappling with a complex system that demands they fight for every bit of support. Trott described the prospect of reassessment as “genuinely frightening” for families already struggling with the existing framework.
Parents like Hannah Luxford, who spent 18 months securing an EHCP for her son, have voiced their frustrations. Luxford described the current system as adversarial and burdensome, warning that any rollback on support could jeopardise her son’s educational progress. “If that’s taken away, it will take us back to where we were five years ago,” she cautioned, underlining the stakes involved in these reforms.
Addressing Financial Pressures
The government is also grappling with the rising costs associated with SEND provision, projected to create a £6 billion strain on finances. The Institute for Fiscal Studies has indicated that the government faces three main choices: boost education funding, implement reforms to manage spending growth, or resort to cuts. Luke Sibieta from the IFS noted that without addressing these financial pressures, the system risks perpetuating its current conflicts and variable quality of services.
In addition to SEND reforms, the government intends to halve the attainment gap between disadvantaged students and their peers by the time children born during this parliamentary period complete secondary school. The latest data from the Department for Education reveals that this gap has widened post-pandemic, reaching its highest level in a decade.
Why it Matters
The government’s commitment to enhancing SEND support is critical, especially as families navigate a system marked by complexity and challenges. With changes poised to impact the lives of countless children, the assurance of increased funding and effective reforms is vital. Parents, educators, and policymakers alike will be watching closely to see if these measures translate into tangible improvements, or if the concerns surrounding access to support become a contentious battleground in the months ahead.