Want to understand the planned UK SEND Overhaul?
We discuss what to expect in the upcoming White Paper in Autumn and how it will affect EHCPs, schools, funding and parent rights.
Big changes are coming for children with special educational needs and disabilities (SEND) in England. Education Secretary Bridget Phillipson is leading a major overhaul that could affect how support is given to thousands of families. These changes will be explained in more detail in a White Paper this autumn, and they could impact many children and parents.
Education, Health and Care Plans—also called EHCPs—are important documents for children and young people with SEND. They list out exactly what kind of help a child needs at school, as well as extra health or social care support. Once a child has an EHCP, the local authority must provide the support written in it.
EHCPs also give families strong legal rights. If parents feel their child isn’t getting the proper help, they can challenge decisions in court. More than 638,745 children and young people had an EHCP as of January 2025—a 10.8% increase from last year. In 2024 alone, 97,747 new EHCPs were issued, which is a 15.8% rise.
The number of children needing EHCPs has grown by 140% since 2014. The biggest increases come from children with autism, as well as those with mental health needs, ADHD, or speech and language problems.
Local councils are struggling with SEND-related debt. Together, they owe over £3 billion, and this could reach £8 billion by 2026. If things don’t change, about half of councils in England could run out of money when temporary support for these debts ends in 2028.
The Bournemouth, Christchurch and Poole Council is a prime example. By March 2026, it is expected to have a £171 million SEND deficit. The leader, Millie Earl, says they are “technically insolvent.” Just paying the interest on this debt takes £7.5 million a year, which has led to cuts in community services.
Only 50.3% of EHCPs were completed within the legal 20-week deadline in 2024. More and more families are having to go to tribunal to get help, with 21,000 SEND appeals made in 2023-24—a 55% increase from the year before. Parents win 99% of these cases when they go to tribunal, showing major issues in how local authorities make decisions.
While all details will be announced in October, we already know some big changes could be coming. Dame Christine Lenehan, a SEND adviser, says the current system “is not fit for purpose” and will probably be rebuilt.
One major idea is to limit EHCPs to children in special schools only. If this happens, many children in regular schools could lose the legal protection they now have for receiving support.
The government is looking at whether mainstream schools should give more help to children with SEND, but without the extra legal backing EHCPs provide. Education Secretary Phillipson has not promised to keep EHCPs, only saying that children will get “stronger support.”
The new plan will aim for more children with SEND to be helped in regular schools. Tom Rees, who leads the government’s advisory group on inclusion, is working on ways to make mainstream schools more welcoming. His group’s work runs until April 2026.
To help, the government will spend £740 million on new support centres and on improving school buildings, as part of a larger £6.7 billion education investment.
Many families are worried. Special Needs Jungle started a “Save Our Children’s Rights” campaign, supported by over 100 well-known people, including Chris Packham and Sally Phillips. They warn that without EHCPs, many children could lose the support they need, or even their place at school.
One parent said: “Taking on the long-suffering parents of children with special educational needs and/or disabilities is a dangerous game to play.” Parents know the system is tough and sometimes unfair, but believe that EHCPs are their only real protection.
Legal experts are also concerned. Gurvinder Samra at Slater and Gordon law firm said: “The answer is not to remove EHCPs and parents’ rights, but to make sure local councils follow the right rules.”
Education lawyers fear the loss of EHCPs could push children out of regular schools, or force them to learn at home if they can’t get help.
Councils say they are in an impossible situation. The County Councils Network says 18 councils would go bankrupt right away if SEND debts counted against their budgets, with six more at risk soon after. Councils spend about £153 million a year fighting tribunal cases—even though they lose almost all of them.
Despite this, councils keep fighting cases because they feel pressured by laws and a lack of funds. This results in a system where families and councils battle for resources, often with no winners.
The autumn White Paper will give important details on the planned reforms, including:
The government says it will make sure no child loses out on support. But, without details, many families feel stressed and worried about the future.
Parents face an uncertain future. Their children might lose the legal protection that EHCPs provide. Without these guarantees, each school would decide how much help to give, which could lead to major differences across the country.
Families of children with autism, ADHD, or speech and language needs—groups that make up much of the EHCP growth—are especially concerned.
Schools might be asked to give more support from their main budgets, if local authorities don’t provide extra money. The government’s £740 million will help, but it must cover thousands of schools.
Regular schools may need training and help to give the type of support now only available via EHCPs. This will be a big change and could be hard without the right resources.
These SEND reforms are the biggest in decades. With 1.9 million children getting SEND help in England, many people are watching closely.
The government faces a tough task. They need to:
Right now, families are unsure what to expect. They want clear answers to questions like:
These answers will shape how SEND support looks for years to come. Families, teachers, and campaigners are asking for clear information and for the government to protect the rights of vulnerable children. Promises like “better support” must become solid guarantees – so every child gets the help they need, no matter what system is in place.
With the White Paper expected soon, the SEND community is watching and waiting. The upcoming reforms must make sure that children’s right to a proper education and the support they need are never put at risk.
If you’re looking for personalised guidance and expert support, Bright Heart is here to help. Our Educational Consultants are dedicated to understanding your child’s needs and connecting them with a tutor who can unlock their full potential. Reach out today to discover how we can help your child flourish.
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