A controversial overhaul of the Special Educational Needs and Disabilities (SEND) system in England is set to significantly reduce the number of children receiving Education, Health and Care Plans (EHCPs) by 2035. This move, announced by Education Secretary Bridget Phillipson, aims to address the growing financial strain on local authorities due to the increasing number of EHCPs. However, it has sparked debate among parents, Labour MPs, and education experts, who argue that the changes may not adequately support children with special needs.
The Core Issue: A Broken System
The current SEND system, designed a decade ago for a smaller number of children, has been criticized for failing to provide the necessary support for those in need. As a result, parents have been left fighting for entitlements on paper, while children's educations and lives have suffered. This has led to a rapid rise in EHCPs, causing a multibillion-pound hole in local authority finances.
The Overhaul: A New Support System
Phillipson's plans introduce a new category of support called Individual Support Plans (ISPs). These plans will be broader than EHCPs, covering children who are not currently in the SEND system. ISPs will be agreed with schools and could include access to psychologists, therapists, and 'inclusion bases' within schools. The aim is to ensure that every child receives the brilliant support they deserve, when they need it, as routine, and without a fight.
Controversy and Concerns
However, the changes have sparked controversy. The right to appeal against an EHCP decision will now start with schools instead of independent tribunals, raising concerns that parents may have less success in legal challenges. Additionally, the restrictions on EHCPs threaten to cause a backlash from parent groups and Labour MPs, who argue that the changes may not adequately support children with the highest level of need, such as those with lifelong learning disabilities, severe behavioral problems, or physical disabilities.
The Plan's Impact
Government modeling predicts that the proportion of pupils with EHCPs will rise from just over 5% today to nearly 8% in 2029-30, and then fall to under 5% by 2034-35, resulting in a drop of 270,000 EHCPs if pupil numbers remain stable. The extra £4bn committed to the new system is expected to help bring down the SEND deficit in the next few years, but local authorities will still need billions of pounds more by 2028-29.
The Way Forward
The plans will be put out for consultation before the government brings forward legislation in the next session of parliament, which begins in May. The first assessments under the new system will be carried out in 2029. While Phillipson's overhaul aims to create a better system of support for children, it remains to be seen whether it will address the concerns of all stakeholders and effectively stem the financial strain on local authorities.
