Special educational needs and disabilities (SEND) reforms – what you need to know

On Monday, the 23rd of February, the Government published its plans to reform the special educational needs and disabilities (SEND) system in England in its schools white paper, ‘Every Child Achieving and Thriving’. These plans are open to public consultation for the next 12 weeks.

This is a once-in-a-generation opportunity to fix a system that is currently failing 1.7 million disabled children.  

We know this has been widely covered in the media and online, and things might be worrying, particularly for families. 

Here’s what you need to know right now 

We’ll be updating our campaign page with more information and ways to get involved in the next few weeks. 

What is a white paper?

A white paper is a document produced by the Government setting out their proposals for future changes to the law. It’s really important to say that, at this stage, these are only suggestions of changes the Government wants to make. Think of the white paper publication as the starting point for a discussion, not the end.  

Nothing is changing right now 

The existing SEND law has not changed, and any reforms won’t happen until 2029. So, if your child is currently receiving support at school, or is being assessed for support, this support will remain in place for now.

How you can have your say

The Government is holding a 12-week consultation on its proposals for changes to the SEND system. This is a set of questions for families, professionals and charities like Sense to share their opinions on the plans. This can make a real difference and encourage the Government to rethink particular changes.

We are building a tool to support you in responding to the consultation – make sure to sign up for our emails more details.

What is Sense doing?

At Sense, we have been working with families, the Government and other charities to push for the right reforms. Reforms that mean every disabled child can access the support they need, wherever they live, and get an education that truly works for them.   

We have been listening to families to understand what needs to change and what must be protected. We have supported parents to meet Ministers leading the reforms, making sure lived experience is heard. We are working with partners, including the Disabled Children’s Partnership, to build clear evidence on how the reforms could support disabled children with complex needs.

Right now, we are looking at the proposals closely to fully understand what they might mean for disabled children with complex needs. 

Our initial response to the white paper:

You can find our initial reaction in this short video from our Chief Executive, James Watson-O’Neill:

Descriptive transcript of James' video

A close-up of James’ face. He is standing in a park and signing the words as he speaks.

This week, the government has launched its big plan and ideas for changing the special educational needs system in England.

This is a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to fix a system that has been failing 1.7 million disabled children and their families for far too long.

Children just want the ordinary.

To go to school, to make friends, and to have an equal shot at their dreams.

That’s why we are so pleased to see the government’s ambition to fix the system, along with all of our colleagues who we’ve been campaigning with in the Disabled Children’s Partnership.

There are lots of new ideas to really like.

Including some of the key things that Sense has been asking for.

New funding.

Closer working across education, health and care.

And a focus on early intervention.

As well as plans to expand access to more specialist support.

Like multisensory impairment teachers, who we know at Sense, are so important for many disabled children with complex needs to be able to communicate and to thrive at school.

And it’s brilliant to see proposals to keep education, health, and care plans for disabled children with complex needs.

Families have been very clear that these legal protections are critical and must remain.

And there’s, of course, still lots we don’t know.

And all of this ambition will need to be met by the reality of delivery.

Our big concern is that the government has not defined who they see as disabled children with complex needs.

We know that complex needs are a result of a complex system.

And that children who face multiple barriers to education must have their support protected.

Also, we know schools are really struggling, and there’s no plan to recruit all of the new professionals that this plan will need to make it happen.

We know many of these changes have been really, really worrying families, but remember, these changes to the SEND system won’t happen until 2029.

And importantly, we all have a chance to have our say now.

The consultation is open for the next 12 weeks, and we’re here to help you respond.

Join our Sense mailing list today, and we’ll let you know the next steps to take.

The Sense logo appears.

Alongside the Disabled Children’s Partnership, we have long campaigned for meaningful reform. There are many positive proposals in the plans, including:

• New funding.
• Closer working across education, health and care.
• A stronger focus on early intervention.
• Expanded access to specialist support, such as multi-sensory impairment teachers.

We know how vital specialist teachers are for disabled children with complex needs, particularly those with multi-sensory impairments, to help them communicate and learn effectively.

It’s also encouraging to see proposals to retain Education, Health and Care (EHCP) plans for disabled children with complex needs. Families have been clear that these legal protections are critical and must remain in place.

However, there is still much we don’t know. Ambition must be matched by delivery. We are concerned that the government has not clearly defined who they consider to be children with “complex needs.”

We also know that schools are already under significant pressure, and there is currently no clear workforce plan to recruit and train the additional professionals needed to make these reforms successful.

In the weeks to come, we’ll share more of our thoughts on the specific plans with you.  

We will also be gathering thoughts and insights from families we support, which will guide our own response to the consultation.  

We know what a concerning time this will be for many of you. Please be assured that Sense will be with you every step of the way, fighting for a future SEND system that works for all disabled children with complex needs.

A critical moment for SEND: Join our campaign for change – Sense