SEND overhaul reshapes school support for special needs

Published: 20 February 2026. The English Chronicle Desk. The English Chronicle Online.

A sweeping SEND overhaul promises direct funding for mainstream schools across England. The government says the SEND overhaul will reshape how children with additional needs receive support. Ministers argue the reforms will restore confidence in a system many families feel has failed them. Education leaders have welcomed fresh investment but warn that careful communication will be essential. Parents remain cautious as details continue to emerge before the formal announcement.

The changes will be unveiled by Education Secretary Bridget Phillipson in the coming days. She is expected to outline a long-term strategy to stabilise special educational needs provision. At the centre of the reforms is a shift in financial control. Mainstream schools will receive commissioning budgets to secure therapists and specialist services directly. This replaces the current structure where highly indebted councils hold most funding authority.

Government figures show more than 480,000 children in England currently hold education, health and care plans. These plans, known as EHCPs, legally define a child’s needs and required support. Over recent years, demand has surged while council budgets have struggled to cope. Several local authorities have warned of effective bankruptcy due to spiralling SEND costs. Ministers insist the SEND overhaul is designed to prevent further financial crises.

Under the proposals, mainstream schools will be expected to provide more support as standard. Enhanced provision will become ordinarily available without lengthy legal disputes. Schools will also be required to make reasonable adjustments for pupils with autism, ADHD, or mental health conditions. Failure to comply could expose institutions to legal challenge under strengthened equality frameworks. Officials say this will embed inclusion rather than rely solely on specialist placements.

Children in mainstream settings will gain access to new individual support plans. These plans will offer greater reassurance for families without requiring a formal EHCP. Ministers believe this middle tier could reduce adversarial battles between parents and councils. However, campaigners fear any change to EHCP criteria may dilute existing protections. The government has stressed that current EHCPs will remain valid under transitional safeguards.

The SEND overhaul will be phased in gradually over the next decade. A revised EHCP format is not expected to affect children until 2030. Officials say this delay provides time to build stronger mainstream capacity. They also argue it prevents sudden disruption for families already navigating complex arrangements. Yet uncertainty persists among parents facing upcoming school transitions.

Concerns have centred on potential reassessment when pupils move to secondary school. Some proposals suggest tighter criteria at that key stage. Parent groups worry support could be reduced during an already challenging transition. Labour MPs have privately expressed unease about possible backlash from constituents. Ministers acknowledge that trust will determine whether reforms succeed.

Meg Hillier, chair of the Treasury select committee, has emphasised that parental confidence is crucial. She noted families may fear losing hard-won assistance. However, she also recognised broad agreement that reform is unavoidable. Unlike previous welfare changes, ministers have consulted widely within parliamentary ranks. That engagement may limit the risk of a significant Commons rebellion.

Another Labour MP described the atmosphere as anxious but pragmatic. Many accept the system cannot continue unchanged. Over recent years, tribunals have increasingly favoured parents in disputes with councils. This has intensified legal costs and delayed timely support for children. Officials hope earlier intervention in schools will reduce confrontational appeals.

The first tier equalities tribunal will remain available for EHCP-related cases. However, its role may be refocused within a broader dispute resolution framework. Families could also access an independent ombudsman under strengthened oversight mechanisms. Legal experts suggest clarity on appeal routes will be vital to reassure parents. Any perception of restricted rights could undermine the SEND overhaul’s credibility.

Financial reform forms a central pillar of the government’s strategy. Ministers plan to introduce new price bands for independent special schools. Currently, private placements often cost more than double state special schools. Councils argue such fees have accelerated budget deficits. Under new rules, providers must comply with standardised pricing and minimum service expectations.

Phillipson has said the government will not tolerate profit-driven exploitation. She insists independent placements must demonstrate clear outcomes for children. By regulating costs, ministers hope to redirect savings into mainstream inclusion. Critics counter that price controls alone may not expand specialist capacity. They warn of placement shortages if providers withdraw from the market.

Government insiders maintain optimism that parliamentary opposition can be managed. Treasury funding allocations are reportedly more generous than initially expected. Extra resources are intended to support training and infrastructure improvements. School leaders say staffing and specialist recruitment remain pressing challenges. Without skilled professionals, additional budgets may struggle to deliver intended impact.

Headteachers have long argued that early support reduces long-term costs. Timely speech therapy or behavioural intervention can transform educational trajectories. The SEND overhaul seeks to empower schools to act quickly. By commissioning therapists directly, leaders could bypass bureaucratic delays. This autonomy may help children receive help before problems escalate.

Yet implementation will require cultural as well as financial change. Teachers need confidence and expertise to adapt classroom practice. Continuous professional development is expected to form part of the package. Inclusion advocates emphasise collaboration between schools, health services, and families. Integrated working has historically proved difficult across departmental boundaries.

Parents interviewed across England describe mixed emotions. Some welcome clearer accountability within local schools. Others remain wary after years of exhausting legal battles. For many families, EHCPs represent hard-won security after prolonged advocacy. Ministers insist the SEND overhaul does not intend to remove that safety net.

The broader political context also shapes the debate. Rising numbers of diagnoses, particularly for autism and ADHD, have increased demand. Mental health pressures among young people intensified during pandemic disruption. Local authorities argue they were left managing unprecedented complexity. The new reforms attempt to reconcile growing needs with fiscal sustainability.

Education charities have urged transparent communication in the coming months. They stress that misinformation could spread quickly among worried communities. Clear timelines and accessible guidance will be essential. The government has promised detailed consultation before legislative changes proceed. That process may determine whether consensus can be maintained.

Ultimately, the SEND overhaul represents one of the most ambitious education reforms in years. It seeks to rebalance responsibility between councils and schools. Success will depend on sustained funding and genuine partnership. For thousands of families, the stakes feel intensely personal. Their trust will shape whether this new chapter delivers lasting improvement.

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