Responding to the SEND reforms

On 18 May, the government’s consultation on SEND (Special Educational Needs and Disabilities) reforms closed.

The consultation gave families the chance to share their views on proposed changes to the system. Through our consultation tool, almost 200 families told government about their experiences.

We also submitted our own response, shaped by what families told us in surveys and interviews. You can read our full response here.

There are mixed views on the proposals, and we’ve reflected that. Overall, we’re clear: some key changes are needed to make sure disabled children with complex needs get the support they deserve.

Our key asks

We focused on three main priorities:

• Protect legal rights to support – this is a lifeline for families and must not be weakened.
• Stronger accountability – across education, health and social care.
• A long-term workforce plan – with the right investment in specialist skills and support.

What we told government

Support must reflect complex needs

Every child is different, but the proposals risk oversimplifying needs.

Parents told us they’re worried a more standardised system won’t reflect the range of their child’s needs. There’s also not enough clarity about who can access specialist support or how children can access specialist plans.

We’ve called for a more personalised, child-centred approach, with clearer pathways to support.

Legal rights must be protected

We’re worried the proposals could weaken families’ ability to challenge decisions about support.

It’s not clear how parents would challenge what’s in an Individual Support Plan (ISP). Families told us they don’t feel confident ISPs would fully meet their child’s needs, and some are concerned about schools holding too much control.

We’ve said there must be a clear, robust legal route to challenge ISPs.

There aren’t enough specialists

Families told us the biggest gaps are in therapies, health support, specialist teachers and one-to-one support.

The proposed “Experts at Hand” scheme sounds promising, but it’s not clear whether the funding will be enough. Right now, access to specialists is a postcode lottery.

We’ve called for a proper workforce strategy to make sure every child can get the support they need.

Reforms must link to health plans

SEND reforms don’t sit in isolation.

There’s a missed opportunity to better align them with the NHS’s long-term plans for children’s health.

We’re calling for these systems to be better aligned if support is going to improve.

Specialist provision still matters

We’re concerned there isn’t enough focus on specialist settings.

Many parents told us mainstream schools, even with extra support, wouldn’t meet their child’s needs. Some said they already feel pressure to choose mainstream, even though they know it isn’t right.

We’re clear: children should be able to learn in the environment that works best for them.

Better data is essential

The proposals rely on better data so that decisions about support are based on real evidence. That foundation isn’t there yet.

We’ve said government needs a long-term plan to improve data and research.

What happens next?

Now the consultation has closed, we’ll keep working with government to shape the next stage of reforms.

Our focus stays the same: making sure every disabled child with complex needs can access the right support and education.