The UK government has pledged to enhance, rather than diminish, the support for children with special educational needs and disabilities (SEND) as it prepares to unveil significant reforms to the education system in England. Education Secretary Bridget Phillipson has reassured parents that the upcoming changes will not reduce the assistance their children receive, despite rising concerns about the SEND system’s efficacy and financial sustainability.
Commitment to Increased Funding
Speaking on the BBC, Phillipson emphasised that the government intends to allocate more resources to SEND support. This commitment is part of a broader strategy to reform an education system widely viewed as under strain due to escalating costs associated with SEND provisions. The details of these reforms are expected to be outlined in an anticipated White Paper set for release on Monday, which many parents are closely monitoring for potential impacts on existing support structures.
The proposed changes come in response to a challenging landscape where families often feel compelled to advocate vigorously for adequate support for their children. Phillipson stated, “The assurance I can give to parents is that under the new system, more children will receive support… more quickly, when they need it, and where they need it.” This assurance aims to alleviate fears that the reforms might lead to a reduction in support for children currently benefitting from Education, Health and Care Plans (EHCPs).
Planned Reassessments and Individual Support Plans
The reforms, however, are set to introduce a system where children with EHCPs will undergo reassessments as they transition to secondary education starting in 2029. Leaked reports suggest that this process will coincide with the introduction of Individual Support Plans (ISPs) for all children identified with SEND, regardless of whether they currently have an EHCP. These ISPs will carry a legal status, providing a framework intended to streamline support for children with diverse needs.
Phillipson noted that EHCPs will still play a crucial role in the new system, assuring parents that the aim is to create a more transparent and effective framework for support. “There are clear routes and clear principles set out in statute that will guide all of this,” she explained, highlighting her commitment to a system that allows for easier access to necessary resources.
Concerns and Opposition
Despite the government’s assurances, apprehensions persist among parents and opposition figures. Shadow Education Secretary Laura Trott voiced significant concerns, indicating that many families have previously faced arduous battles to secure the support their children require. She remarked, “The idea that they’re going to be reassessed will be genuinely frightening,” underscoring the anxiety surrounding potential changes.
Parents like Hannah Luxford, who navigated the complex process of obtaining an EHCP for her son, reflect similar fears. Luxford described the current system as “unhelpful, adversarial, [and] complex,” expressing her hope that existing rights will be preserved under the new reforms. “If that’s taken away, it will take us back to where we were five years ago,” she lamented, highlighting the risks of regression in support quality.
Addressing Financial Pressures
The backdrop of these proposed reforms is a financial landscape marked by increasing demands and limited resources. The government plans to absorb SEND costs currently borne by local councils starting in 2028, a move that is anticipated to create a £6 billion financial pressure on the education budget. Experts, such as those from the Institute for Fiscal Studies (IFS), warn that without significant reforms, the system may continue to be characterised by conflict and inadequate quality of support.
The IFS has outlined three possible avenues for addressing the financial challenges: increasing education funding, implementing reforms to contain SEND spending, or making cuts. Luke Sibieta from the IFS described the situation as “the worst of all worlds,” where rising EHCP numbers do not equate to improved outcomes for children.
Aiming for Equality in Education
In parallel with the SEND reforms, the government is also focusing on closing the attainment gap between disadvantaged pupils and their peers. The aim is to halve this gap by the time students born during the current Parliament finish their secondary education, with strategies in place to reform funding allocation for disadvantaged backgrounds. Recent GCSE results indicated an increase in the disadvantage gap index, reaching its highest point in a decade, which underscores the urgency of these reforms.
Why it Matters
The proposed changes to the SEND system in England represent a critical intersection between education policy and the rights of vulnerable children. As the government seeks to overhaul a system perceived as failing many families, the balance between necessary reform and the preservation of existing support will be pivotal. The outcome of these reforms not only impacts the lives of children with SEND but also reflects broader societal values regarding inclusivity and equity in education. The government’s approach will be closely scrutinised, as it navigates the challenges of delivering meaningful support while managing financial constraints.
