Bridget Phillipson Unveils Sweeping SEND Reform Plan as Government Cuts Reliance on Independent Special Schools in England

The row over special educational needs and disabilities (SEND) has exploded into one of the most politically charged education battles of the year.

Labour ministers are pushing ahead with a sweeping overhaul of how support is funded and delivered — and not everyone is convinced it’s about fairness rather than finances.

At the centre of the argument is a bold pledge: shift money away from independent special schools and redirect it into mainstream classrooms.

Ministers say the current system is broken, spiralling in cost and failing too many children.

Critics say this is ideological and risks stripping families of choice.

Why Labour Says the System Is “Not Working”

SEND spending has ballooned in recent years.

Over the past decade, the number of Education, Health and Care Plans (EHCPs) has surged from around 240,000 to roughly 639,000.

That’s a dramatic rise — and it comes with a hefty price tag.

Overall SEND spending has increased by about 86 per cent in just five years.

Labour argues that despite this spending growth, outcomes have not improved proportionately.

Prime Minister Keir Starmer described a system that still leaves children “held back.”

He drew on personal experience, referencing his late brother Nick, who had learning difficulties and struggled to access the support he needed decades ago.

While acknowledging progress since then, he suggested the fundamental challenge remains: children’s life chances are still too tied to circumstance.

Education Secretary Bridget Phillipson has framed the reforms as a generational reset — a “watershed moment” meant to create opportunity for every child.

The £4 Billion Plan and the Big Shift

The Government is rolling out a £4 billion package over three years aimed at strengthening SEND provision in mainstream schools and colleges.

The plan includes creating local banks of specialist teachers and therapists, ensuring expertise is available without families having to fight lengthy battles for support.

A major structural change involves reassessing EHCPs at the end of primary school starting from 2029.

While EHCP numbers are expected to keep rising until the end of the decade, projections suggest they could fall from 5.8 per cent of pupils today to around 4.7 per cent by 2034–35.

Instead of relying so heavily on EHCPs, Labour wants to introduce legally enforceable Individual Support Plans (ISPs).

These would not require a formal medical diagnosis and would offer tiered levels of help — “targeted” and “targeted plus” — for children with less complex needs such as autism or ADHD.

Consultations will run for a year, with no changes taking effect before at least September 2030.

Independent Special Schools in the Firing Line

The most controversial element?

Funding will be redirected away from private and independent special schools, some of which are backed by private equity firms.

Education minister Georgia Gould argued that too much public money is flowing into settings where profit is being made “over vulnerable children.”

She insists the aim is not cost-cutting but smarter spending — introducing price caps and reinvesting savings into mainstream provision.

This follows earlier tensions between Labour and the private education sector, including the decision to apply VAT to private school fees — a move Conservatives branded as class warfare.

Shadow education secretary Laura Trott accused Labour of narrowing inequality “by dragging everyone down.”

Meanwhile, teaching unions are unimpressed for different reasons — they say the money simply isn’t enough.

Unions Say It’s Nowhere Near Enough

The NASUWT teaching union, led by general secretary Matt Wrack, has called the funding level “ridiculous” given the scale of need.

Years of underinvestment, overstretched local authorities, and rising demand have left schools struggling to cope.

Local councils across England are currently facing massive high-needs deficits, collectively running into billions.

Many authorities have relied heavily on independent placements because mainstream schools lack specialist capacity.

That’s the real tension: if mainstream schools are to absorb more SEND responsibility, they must be resourced, staffed, and trained to do so effectively.

Without that, critics warn, families could be left in limbo.

Reforming Disadvantage Funding

Another pillar of the overhaul targets the broader £8 billion disadvantage funding pot.

Instead of relying primarily on free school meal eligibility, Labour plans to use household income data and geographic deprivation measures.

The aim is to better capture long-term poverty and regional inequality.

Ministers describe this as a “golden opportunity” to break the long-standing link between background and achievement — something successive governments have pledged but struggled to deliver.

Why Labour MPs Are Nervous

Behind the scenes, some Labour MPs are uneasy.

Cutting the proportion of children with EHCPs — even if replaced with ISPs — is politically sensitive.

Parents of SEND children are highly organised and vocal, and legal entitlements like EHCPs carry real security.

Any perception that rights are being diluted could trigger backlash, especially if early implementation stumbles.

The Government insists that EHCPs will remain for children with the most complex needs. But the numbers tell a story: eligibility will narrow over time.

The Bigger Picture

England’s SEND system has been under strain for years.

The 2014 reforms that introduced EHCPs were intended to streamline support and strengthen parental rights.

Instead, tribunals have soared as families challenge local authority decisions, and delays in assessments are commonplace.

The expansion of private specialist schools filled gaps in capacity, but at significant cost.

Labour is betting that building in-house capability within mainstream settings will both save money long term and improve inclusion.

Whether that gamble pays off remains to be seen.

What’s Next?

The proposals will go through a lengthy consultation period, giving schools, charities, councils, and parents a chance to respond.

Expect fierce lobbying from independent special school operators and campaign groups representing SEND families.

If the reforms move forward largely intact, detailed implementation plans will follow, with pilot assessments starting in 2029 and structural changes no earlier than 2030.

Between now and then, political pressure is likely to intensify.

Opposition parties will frame this as ideology over practicality. Unions will demand more funding.

Parents will demand clarity and guarantees.

Ultimately, the success of the reforms will hinge on one simple question: will children receive better, faster, and more consistent support — or will bureaucracy simply shift from one system to another?

Summary

Labour has unveiled a £4 billion overhaul of SEND funding, aiming to strengthen mainstream provision and reduce reliance on independent special schools.

EHCP eligibility is set to narrow from 2029, with new Individual Support Plans introduced instead.

Ministers argue the reforms will redirect money from profit-driven providers into classrooms, while critics warn of class warfare and insufficient funding.

A year-long consultation now begins, with major changes unlikely before 2030.