In a bid to address the ongoing challenges faced by children with special educational needs and disabilities (SEND), Education Secretary Bridget Phillipson has assured families that the government will not withdraw essential support as it embarks on significant school reforms in England. In an interview with the BBC, Phillipson emphasised that the government plans to increase funding for SEND services, rather than diminish it, amidst rising concerns over the existing system’s effectiveness.
Reassessing Needs for Improved Support
As part of the proposed changes, children currently receiving support through education, health, and care plans (EHCPs) will undergo a reassessment as they transition into secondary school, starting from 2029. This shift aims to ensure that every child with identified SEND is supported through new Individual Support Plans (ISPs), which will carry legal weight, providing a clearer framework for schools and families. Phillipson stated that the introduction of ISPs would help streamline the process and make it easier for families to access the necessary support without the prolonged struggles often associated with EHCPs.
“What I can assure parents is that more children will receive support under the new system, and they will receive it more quickly, at the right time and place,” she remarked. “Parents won’t have to fight so hard to get support through an EHCP.”
However, the education secretary acknowledged that with these changes come necessary assessments to evaluate each child’s unique needs, stating, “That should be happening at the moment. We’re meant to have a system where every year an EHCP is reviewed. Unfortunately, that doesn’t always happen.”
Concerns from Parents and Politicians
Despite the government’s assurances, there is palpable anxiety among parents and opposition politicians regarding the potential implications of these reforms. Laura Trott, the shadow education secretary, expressed grave concerns that the idea of reassessing children’s needs could be distressing for families already struggling to secure adequate support.
“For many parents, the battle for support has been long and arduous,” Trott reflected, “and the notion of reassessment is genuinely frightening.”
Hannah Luxford, a mother whose teenage son has faced challenges related to anxiety, underscored the adversarial nature of the current system. It took her 18 months to secure an EHCP for her son, a journey she described as “unhelpful and complex.” While her son is now thriving in a funded virtual school, Luxford worries that proposed changes could jeopardise his legal rights to continued support, saying, “If that’s taken away, we’ll be back where we were five years ago.”
Financial Pressures and Future Commitments
The government is also grappling with significant financial pressures related to the SEND system. Starting in 2028, it plans to cover costs currently borne by local councils, a shift projected to add £6 billion in pressure to the education budget. The Institute for Fiscal Studies has highlighted three potential paths for the government: increasing education funding, implementing reforms to curb rising SEND costs, or making cuts.
Luke Sibieta from the IFS characterised the current situation as “the worst of all worlds,” noting an increase in the number of EHCPs and costs without any corresponding improvement in service quality. “The system remains fraught with conflict and variability in support quality,” he added.
In addition to SEND reforms, the government aims to half the attainment gap between disadvantaged students and their peers by the time the current cohort reaches secondary school. Recent GCSE results indicated that the disadvantage gap index for Year 11 students has widened, reaching its highest level in a decade at 3.94.
Why it Matters
The government’s commitment to improving SEND support is a crucial step towards ensuring that all children, regardless of their needs, receive the education they deserve. The fears of parents like Hannah Luxford highlight the fragility of the current system and the urgent need for reforms that genuinely empower families rather than complicate their journey. As the government navigates these changes, the emphasis must remain on providing effective, accessible support that enables children with SEND to thrive in their educational environments. The path ahead is fraught with challenges, but the voices of parents and advocates will be vital in shaping a system that prioritises the well-being and rights of every child.
