The UK government has pledged to maintain essential support for children with special educational needs and disabilities (SEND) as it prepares to unveil significant reforms to the educational system in England. Education Secretary Bridget Phillipson has stated that the government will actually increase funding to enhance support for these children, addressing concerns from parents regarding potential limitations in assistance.
Commitment to Enhanced Support
In an interview with the BBC, Phillipson underscored the government’s commitment to ensuring that effective support for SEND remains intact. “We are not going to be taking away effective support from children,” she affirmed. The upcoming reforms, detailed in a White Paper expected to be released on Monday, aim to overhaul the current SEND system, which has faced scrutiny for its inefficiencies and rising costs.
The Education Secretary indicated that the government intends to spend more on SEND provisions, countering fears that changes might lead to reduced support. “The assurance I can give to parents is that under the new system, more children will receive support,” she added, highlighting the importance of timely assistance. The proposed changes also include a review process for children transitioning to secondary school, which has raised concerns among parents who fear the reassessment could jeopardise existing support frameworks.
New Assessment Framework
According to leaked details from the forthcoming White Paper, children with education, health, and care plans (EHCPs) will undergo reassessments as they move from primary to secondary education starting in 2029. This shift is designed to ensure that support is tailored to each child’s evolving needs.
In addition, all children identified with SEND, regardless of whether they currently have an EHCP, will benefit from Individual Support Plans (ISPs) developed by their schools. These plans will carry legal weight, promising to establish clearer guidelines for support and accountability. Phillipson assured parents that EHCPs would continue to play a crucial role within the revised framework, enabling quicker access to necessary assistance.
Parental Concerns and Political Opposition
Despite the government’s assurances, concerns remain among parents and opposition parties. Laura Trott, the shadow education secretary, expressed apprehension regarding the reassessment process, stating that many parents have had to fight for the support their children need. “The idea that they’re going to be reassessed will be genuinely frightening,” she remarked.
Parents like Hannah Luxford, who navigated a long and complex process to secure an EHCP for her son, have voiced worries about the potential impact of the proposed reforms. Her son is currently thriving in a funded virtual school, but she fears that changes could undermine his legal rights to adequate support. “If that’s taken away, it will take us back to where we were five years ago,” she lamented.
The political landscape surrounding SEND reforms is fraught with tension, as Labour MPs may oppose the changes unless assurances are made regarding the protection of existing support structures. The government’s decision to shift financial responsibility for SEND costs from local councils to central government by 2028 poses a £6 billion challenge, further complicating the situation.
Addressing the Attainment Gap
In tandem with SEND reforms, the government is also targeting the significant attainment gap between disadvantaged pupils and their peers. Recent statistics indicate that this gap has widened, reaching a decade-high in the 2022/2023 academic year. The government aims to halve this disparity by the time children born during the current parliamentary session complete their secondary education.
To achieve this goal, the planned reforms will focus on how schools allocate funding to support children from disadvantaged backgrounds. The Department for Education reported that the disadvantage gap index for Year 11 students stood at 3.94, a concerning trend that highlights the need for immediate action.
Why it Matters
The forthcoming SEND reforms represent a pivotal moment for the educational landscape in England. As the government seeks to address inefficiencies and rising costs, the potential impact on thousands of children with SEND is profound. The commitment to enhance support and streamline access is crucial, yet it must be balanced with the need to protect existing rights and entitlements. The success of these reforms will ultimately hinge on effective implementation and genuine engagement with families, ensuring that every child receives the support they rightfully deserve.