SEO Title: £4bn SEND Overhaul in England Transforms Special Needs Support

Published: 23 February 2026 . The English Chronicle Desk. The English Chronicle Online

The UK government is set to launch a “generational” overhaul of support for children with special educational needs and disabilities (Send), pledging £4bn to transform provision across schools in England. Ministers warned local councils they could lose control of Send services if they fail to meet their legal duties, highlighting the urgency of the reforms.

Education Secretary Bridget Phillipson, who delayed the changes last autumn following backlash from MPs and parents, described the reforms as a once-in-a-generation opportunity to redefine the future of education. Writing for the Guardian, she emphasized that the plans were about “improved support, not removed support.”

The proposals include substantial additional investment in special needs provision, addressing widespread fears that the reforms might be a cuts exercise amid soaring service costs. Phillipson pledged tailored specialist support in all mainstream schools and 60,000 new special needs school places, ensuring children with Send have greater access to the resources they need.

A long-running consultation process sought to smooth tensions with parents and MPs, many of whom had previously threatened to rebel against the reforms. Privately, some MPs expressed optimism that the majority of children, particularly those from poorer backgrounds, would benefit from improved provision, though the full white paper may provide further clarifications.

Backing the plans, Prime Minister Keir Starmer said: “Getting the right support should never be a battle – it should be a given. Families will get tailored support built around their child’s individual needs, available on their doorstep.” Starmer cited personal experience of his late brother, who had learning difficulties, as motivation for the reforms, emphasizing the importance of mainstream inclusion for children with Send.

Under the new system, schools will receive extra funding for specialized support, while Education, Health, and Care Plans (EHCPs) will be reserved for children with the most severe and complex needs. Children on lower tiers will still receive additional support and legal rights, although parents have raised concerns about potential reviews as children progress to secondary education.

The reforms will also change parental choice, replacing unrestricted free choice of schools with a list of possible options. Appeals will still be allowed, and the Send tribunal can ask local authorities to reconsider decisions.

The shake-up arrives amid record demand for special needs provision and growing parental distrust in a system where families often win tribunal appeals only after prolonged battles. New obligations will require councils to meet legal duties more reliably, with penalties for failure, including the potential removal of control over Send services.

The upcoming schools white paper outlines £4bn of investment over three years to enhance inclusion in mainstream schools. Early years settings, schools, and colleges will receive £1.6bn for initiatives such as small-group language support, while a further £1.8bn will fund an “experts at hand” service, providing access to Send teachers and speech and language therapists regardless of EHCP status. Additional funding will also support high needs provision, teacher training, and 60,000 extra special school places, reducing reliance on private institutions and long-distance travel.

In practical terms, primary schools may see an additional £20,000–£40,000 per year, with secondary schools receiving £50,000–£70,000 annually. Once fully implemented, an average secondary school will gain over 160 days of dedicated specialist time per year. Schools will also establish “inclusion bases,” supported through the government’s £3.7bn capital investment.

Phillipson reassured that effective support would not be removed and that a careful, decade-long transition would underpin the reforms. Charities and thinktanks welcomed the ambition but stressed the importance of staff recruitment and retention to ensure success.

Jo Hutchinson, director of Send at the Education Policy Institute, warned that without more funded training places, educational psychologists may remain insufficient in number. Nick Harrison of the Sutton Trust noted the reforms’ potential to help disadvantaged families navigate the system. Meanwhile, IPSEA expressed concern that issues around unlawful decision-making and accountability remain unresolved.

Mencap highlighted the positive move towards inclusion in mainstream schools, urging early identification and support for children’s needs, backed by fully funded services and statutory rights. Phillipson affirmed that reform, alongside investment, was essential to address long-standing failings in the Send system.

The Mayor of Greater Manchester, Andy Burnham, offered his region as an early adopter, emphasizing the potential for a less adversarial, preventative approach centered on children and families.

“This is a reforming government,” Phillipson concluded. “Any parent or teacher who has experienced the Send system will say change is the right thing. Now is the time to turn it around.”

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