England announces £4bn overhaul of SEND support with fewer EHCPs planned

In Brief

England will reform SEND support with £4bn funding and fewer children receiving EHCPs.

Key Facts

• The government will invest £4 billion to overhaul special educational needs and disabilities (SEND) support in England
• Education Secretary Bridget Phillipson announced the reforms aiming to provide support to children more quickly, within weeks rather than months
• The new SEND regime will result in approximately 270,000 fewer children receiving education, health and care plans (EHCPs)
• Only children with particularly complex needs will be eligible for EHCPs under the new system
• Local councils may lose control of SEND services if they fail to meet their legal duties under the reforms

What Happened

The UK government, led by Education Secretary Bridget Phillipson, announced a major reform of SEND support in England, backed by £4 billion in funding. The changes include faster provision of support and a reduction in the number of children eligible for legally binding EHCPs, focusing on those with the most complex needs. Councils face potential loss of control over SEND services if they do not comply with legal requirements.

Why It Matters

These reforms represent a significant shift in how SEND support is delivered, aiming to improve timeliness and efficiency. However, the reduction in EHCPs may affect the level of formal support available to many children with special educational needs. The changes also increase accountability for local councils, potentially impacting local governance of SEND services.