In a bid to quell rising concerns among parents and educators, Education Secretary Bridget Phillipson has assured that effective support for children with special educational needs and disabilities (SEND) will remain intact under the government’s planned reforms. Speaking to the BBC, Phillipson outlined that the administration intends to increase funding for SEND, rather than decrease it, as part of a broader overhaul aimed at addressing the system’s current challenges.
Proposed Changes to SEND Assessments
The government’s anticipated White Paper, set to be unveiled on Monday, will provide comprehensive details about the proposed changes to the SEND framework in England. These reforms come in light of escalating pressures stemming from the rising costs of SEND support, which many experts deem to be in crisis.
Among the proposed measures is a plan to reassess children with education, health, and care plans (EHCPs) upon their transition to secondary school starting in 2029. This shift aims to standardise support via school-led Individual Support Plans (ISPs), which will grant legal rights to all children with identified SEND, including those without current EHCPs.
Phillipson emphasised that EHCPs will continue to play a crucial role in the reformed system, stating, “The assurance I can give to parents is that under the new system, more children will receive support, and they’ll receive it more quickly.”
Parental Concerns and Opposition Views
Despite these assurances, apprehension remains palpable among parents. Shadow Education Secretary Laura Trott articulated concerns regarding the potential reassessment process, suggesting it could exacerbate the existing struggles many families face in securing adequate support. Trott remarked, “The idea that they’re going to be reassessed will be genuinely frightening,” highlighting the adversarial nature of the current system.
For parents like Hannah Luxford, whose son has benefitted from an EHCP after a protracted struggle, the prospect of losing hard-won support is alarming. Luxford expressed her fears about the reforms, stating, “If that’s taken away, it will take us back to where we were five years ago.”
Financial Implications of SEND Reforms
The government’s proposal to take over SEND costs currently borne by local councils by 2028 is expected to create an additional financial burden of £6 billion. This has led to calls for either increased education funding or significant reforms to manage the growth of SEND expenditure. Luke Sibieta from the Institute for Fiscal Studies has warned that the current landscape is marked by conflict, inadequate quality, and an unsustainable rise in EHCPs without corresponding improvements in educational outcomes.
Addressing the Attainment Gap
In conjunction with SEND reforms, the government aims to halve the attainment gap between disadvantaged pupils and their peers by the time children born during this Parliament complete secondary school. Recent data from the Department for Education revealed that the disadvantage gap index for Year 11 students had widened to 3.94, the highest level in a decade. The proposed reforms will focus on enhancing funding strategies for disadvantaged students to address this growing disparity.
Why it Matters
The government’s upcoming reforms to the SEND system are crucial not only for the immediate support of affected children but also for the long-term integrity of educational equity in England. As policymakers navigate the challenging landscape of SEND funding, the balance between reforming a flawed system and preserving essential support will be vital. Ensuring that all children receive the help they need, without further complicating an already adversarial process, is a challenge that will resonate deeply with families across the country.
