In a bid to reassure parents, Education Secretary Bridget Phillipson has stated that the government intends to maintain and enhance support for children with special educational needs and disabilities (SEND) as part of forthcoming reforms to the educational system in England. Phillipson emphasised that the government will be investing more resources into SEND initiatives rather than cutting funding, addressing concerns that the new policies could limit essential support for vulnerable children.
Planned Changes to SEND Support
During an interview with the BBC, Phillipson outlined the government’s commitment to transforming the SEND framework, promising a comprehensive review of children’s needs as they transition into secondary education. This announcement coincides with leaked details regarding a White Paper, set to be published soon, which is anticipated to clarify the proposed changes. Parents have expressed significant anxiety over the reforms, fearing that their children’s current levels of support may be jeopardised.
The anticipated policy changes come at a time when the SEND system is facing mounting challenges, including financial pressures and an increasing number of children requiring support. Reports suggest that children currently holding education, health, and care plans (EHCPs) will undergo reassessments after completing primary school starting in 2029. Conversely, the government plans to extend legal protections to all students with SEND through the introduction of Individual Support Plans (ISPs), which will carry certain legal weight.
Emphasis on Timely Support
Phillipson assured parents that the reforms would facilitate quicker access to support. “The assurance I can give to parents is that under the new system, more children will receive support,” she stated. “They’ll receive it more quickly, when they need it and where they need it. Parents won’t have to fight so hard to get support through an EHCP.” She reiterated that EHCPs would still play a vital role in the new framework, promising that the current system’s inefficiencies would be addressed.
When questioned about potential reductions in support under the new proposals, Phillipson firmly stated, “We are not going to be taking away effective support from children.” She acknowledged, however, that reviews of children’s needs would be necessary, a practice that she noted is supposed to occur annually but often does not.
Parental Concerns and Political Reactions
The reforms have attracted criticism from various quarters, particularly from opposition parties. Shadow Education Secretary Laura Trott expressed concerns about the proposals, stating that many parents have faced significant challenges in securing support, and the notion of reassessments could be unsettling. “We oppose any support being withdrawn,” Trott affirmed.
Hannah Luxford, a parent whose son has faced mental health challenges, shared her experience of navigating the current system, which took her 18 months to secure an EHCP. While Luxford is now pleased with her son’s progress in a funded virtual school, she remains apprehensive about the implications of the proposed reforms on existing entitlements. “I want to hear that for those of us already with EHCPs that we are protected,” she remarked, highlighting the fear that hard-won rights may be at risk.
The government is also under scrutiny for its decision to shift the financial burden of SEND costs from local councils to central government by 2028, a move that could lead to a £6 billion deficit. Analysis from the Institute for Fiscal Studies has suggested that the government must choose between increasing education funding, reforming the system to control SEND costs, or implementing cuts—all options fraught with challenges.
Addressing the Attainment Gap
In addition to SEND reforms, the government is setting ambitious targets to halve the attainment gap between disadvantaged pupils and their peers by the time children born during this Parliament complete secondary school. This initiative aims to revamp how schools allocate funding to support underprivileged students. Recent data indicates that the disadvantage gap for Year 11 students has widened, reaching its highest point in a decade, underscoring the urgent need for effective interventions.
Why it Matters
The impending reforms to the SEND system represent a critical juncture for the future of educational support in England. As the government navigates the complexities of balancing budgetary constraints with the needs of some of the most vulnerable children, the outcomes of these changes will have far-reaching implications for families, educators, and policymakers alike. Ensuring that children receive the necessary support without significant disruption will be paramount in fostering an equitable educational environment. The stakes are high, and the actions taken in the coming months will shape the landscape of SEND provision for years to come.
