Downing Street is facing another bruising battle over its overhaul of special needs education for children in England, as MPs, campaigners and parents voice concern at the proposed changes. A letter to the Guardian, signed by more than 100 charities, campaigners and celebrities including Chris Packham, Sally Phillips and Jane Asher, warns that the reforms may restrict or abolish the vital education, health and care plans (EHCPs) that over 600,000 children rely on for individual support.
The letter, backing the newly formed Save Our Childrens’ Rights campaign, calls for EHCPs to be retained “now and in the future”, or risk seeing thousands of children “denied vital provision, or losing access to education altogether”. It states: “As new education reforms loom, every sign from the government suggests the right to an education, health and care plan (EHCP) is to be removed from children attending mainstream schools.”
Labour MPs who spoke to the Guardian are worried that ministers are unable to explain key details of the special educational needs (SEN) shake-up being considered in the schools white paper to be published in October. Several MPs warned that issues such as the future of EHCPs could cause another rebellion, similar to that which forced the government to gut its welfare bill after a major backlash from backbenchers.
One MP said: “This could be a massive problem. We are hoping there will be proper engagement around it, but we are worried about some of the signals we are picking up.” Another added: “People are really, really worried about this. It is one of the things that is going to make people feel very, very uncomfortable.”
Although Education Secretary Bridget Phillipson has said no decisions have yet been taken about the fate of EHCPs, discussions are said to include phasing them out over several years or restricting them to the most profound level of need. Labour MP Marie Tidball, who gave an emotional Commons speech against the welfare bill last week, said the SEN reforms were now a major focus for many backbenchers, with “lots of work” planned over the summer.
