Authorities commit billions to overhaul SEND system and guarantee personalized education support for children with special needs in England

Education in England is set for one of its most ambitious overhauls in decades, with the government pledging a radical expansion of rights for children with Special Educational Needs and Disabilities (SEND).

Families who have long struggled with a system that often feels rigid and impersonal may finally see meaningful change that ensures every child is supported and included in education.

The White Paper, titled Every Child Achieving and Thriving, sets out a vision for an education system that adapts to the needs of children rather than expecting children to fit the system.

Education Secretary Bridget Phillipson highlighted that “background shouldn’t mean destiny,” emphasizing the need for a system where every child has access to the support they deserve.

Individual Support Plans for Every Child with SEND

Historically, over 70% of children in England with additional needs—more than a million children—have had no legally enforceable rights.

Under the new proposals, every child with SEND will receive an Individual Support Plan (ISP).

These plans will draw on a national framework of proven interventions, but crucially, they will be personalized by the teachers and specialists who know the children best.

The government is backing these reforms with multi-billion-pound investments to ensure support is accessible, including funding for speech and language therapy, small group teaching, and additional professional support in schools.

ISPs are designed to make high-quality support routine and without the need for parents to fight for it.

Enhancing Education, Health, and Care Plans

While ISPs will become the standard for most children, Education, Health and Care Plans (EHCPs) will remain for those with more complex or intensive needs.

EHCPs are being strengthened to provide a wider legal entitlement and to ensure children continue to receive the support they need as they transition between different stages of education.

A “triple lock” system has been introduced to protect children currently receiving support.

Children in special school places, those moving from EHCPs to ISPs, and those transitioning between phases will all be assured that their support continues uninterrupted.

Modernizing the SEND System

The reforms go beyond just ISPs and EHCPs.

Both will be digitized to reduce bureaucracy and increase transparency.

Draft packages of support for specialist needs will be published later this year, and independent special schools will be regulated to ensure fair and high-quality support.

Parents will retain the right to appeal decisions through the SEND Tribunal, but strengthened mediation services and improved complaints processes are designed to resolve most issues collaboratively and swiftly, reducing the need for lengthy disputes.

Training and Investment in Schools

The government is committing over £200 million to train teachers and support staff to better meet the needs of children with SEND.

Funding from a £1.6 billion inclusion grant will ensure that small group interventions like speech and language support are available in every school.

Over £3.7 billion will create more than 60,000 additional specialist places, and the “Experts at Hand” program, backed with £1.8 billion, will provide educational psychologists and other specialists for children with complex needs.

These investments aim to give families confidence that their children can receive excellent support in local schools, rather than having to seek distant specialist settings.

Responses from Educators and Advocacy Groups

The White Paper has drawn cautious optimism from educators and child advocacy groups.

Paul Whiteman, general secretary of the National Association of Head Teachers, praised the focus on funding and service availability as essential for success.

Children’s Commissioner Dame Rachel de Souza welcomed the move toward a system prioritizing children’s rights, emphasizing that this is a chance to rebuild trust with families.

Pepe Di’Iasio from the Association of School and College Leaders described the plans as a step toward inclusivity and high-quality support, while Amanda Allard from the Council for Disabled Children highlighted the importance of accountability to ensure ambitions translate into real outcomes.

What’s Next?

The government is now opening consultations to clarify how accountability and implementation will work in practice.

Families, educators, and advocacy groups will have the opportunity to provide input to ensure the new system delivers on its promise.

Over the next decade, the hope is that every child with SEND will experience education that is inclusive, fair, and tailored to their needs, removing the fight and frustration that has plagued the current system.

These changes are being watched closely across the country, with stakeholders eager to see whether the ambitious vision will finally translate into better outcomes for children and their families.

Summary

The UK government has unveiled sweeping reforms to support children with Special Educational Needs and Disabilities (SEND), aiming to replace the one-size-fits-all approach with a more inclusive system.

Every child with SEND will now have an Individual Support Plan (ISP), tailored to their needs and backed by a national framework of evidence-based interventions.

Education, Health, and Care Plans (EHCPs) will remain for more complex needs, with enhanced protections and digitized processes.

Multi-billion-pound investments will fund specialist support, teacher training, and small-group interventions in schools.

Families and educators have welcomed the reforms, but consultations are underway to ensure accountability and effective implementation.

The goal is to create an education system where every child is seen, supported, and included.