There has been a lot of discussion about Special Educational Needs and Disabilities (SEND) recently, and with the number of Education, Health and Care Plans (EHCPs) continuing to rise, it’s easy to see why.
Between January 2025 and January 2026, the number of children with an EHCP increased by 12.5%, bringing the total to more than 700,000. This is the largest annual increase since EHCPs were introduced over a decade ago.
New Government Plans for Education and SEND
The government has published two key documents:
- Every Child Achieving and Thriving – a 10-year White Paper setting out the future vision for England’s education system.
- SEND Reform: Putting Children and Young People First – a consultation focused specifically on SEND support and how the current EHCP system could be reshaped.
Consultations on both documents closed in May 2026, and the government is now reviewing responses before drafting legislation. Any major legal changes are not expected to take effect until September 2029.
The Biggest Proposed Change
A major part of the proposed reform is the introduction of Individual Support Plans (ISPs). These are designed to help children access support more quickly, without always needing a full EHCP.
The proposed framework includes four levels of support:
- Universal Offer – inclusive classroom strategies and adaptive teaching for all.
- Targeted Support – school-led support plans, including small group interventions.
- Targeted Plus – access to external specialists such as educational psychologists and speech therapists.
- Specialist Support – for children with the most complex needs, who may qualify for a new-style EHCP.
Mandatory reassessments are also planned at key transition points, such as moving from primary to secondary school.
Concerns Raised by Charities and Families
Several organisations, including the National Network of Parent Carer Forums (NNPCF), have raised concerns about accountability, school capacity and how the proposed changes could affect family involvement in decision-making.
Charities like Contact and Disabled Children’s Partnership note the importance to remember that current SEND laws remain unchanged while plans are being developed.
The government has also confirmed safeguards for existing support, including:
- A Triple Lock Guarantee, allowing children already in specialist placements by September 2029 to remain there until they complete their education.
- A commitment that no active EHCP support packages will be reduced under the new framework before September 2030.
Supporting Families Beyond Education
Recent research by Home-Start UK highlights another important issue affecting families. A 2026 survey found that almost half (49%) of parents with children under five feel lonely or isolated, while 17% say they often or always feel this way.
The report highlights the importance of community support, meaningful social connections and early intervention, not only for parents’ wellbeing but also for children’s development.
The next few years will be important in shaping how support is delivered and ensuring families’ voices continue to be heard.
Photo by Birleşim Özel Eğitim Rehabilitasyon Merkezi on Unsplash
