Multi-Billion Pound SEND Overhaul Unveiled to Boost Mainstream School Inclusion
In a landmark announcement, the government has revealed a comprehensive, decade-long reform programme aimed at dramatically improving support for children with special educational needs and disabilities (SEND) within mainstream schools. Education Secretary Bridget Phillipson declared the initiative would challenge the "soft bigotry of low expectations" and ensure all children have the right to be included in educational excellence.
Core Reforms and Financial Commitment
The Department for Education has pledged to spend over £7 billion more on SEND support, with £4 billion allocated directly to reforms between 2026/27 and 2028/29. This includes £1.6 billion to enhance inclusivity in mainstream schools and £1.8 billion for an "experts at hand" service, deploying specialists like speech and language therapists across every region.
Additionally, a £3.7 billion capital funding investment from 2025/26 to 2029/30 will finance the creation of 60,000 new specialist places within both mainstream and specialist educational settings. All mainstream teachers will receive mandatory SEND training as part of the government's commitment to building a more inclusive system.
New Support Structures and Legal Changes
Under the controversial proposals outlined in the Schools White Paper, access to Education, Health and Care Plans (EHCPs) will be reviewed and reserved exclusively for children with the most complex needs. Ms Phillipson vowed to "take away that fight that so many parents" face in securing an EHCP, which legally entitles children to specific support.
However, some parents have expressed concerns that their hard-won support could be weakened. From 2030, children currently in Year 2 will be the first cohort to have their EHCPs reviewed upon transitioning to secondary school, coinciding with the implementation of the new inclusive mainstream system.
The reformed framework will introduce digital Individual Support Plans (ISPs) for all children, featuring legal elements and tiered 'Targeted' and 'Targeted Plus' support layers. Schools will be able to issue ISPs instantly without requiring formal assessment or diagnosis. A separate higher tier, Specialist Provision Packages (SPP), will underpin EHCPs for the most severe cases.
By 2035, projections indicate that 4.7% of children will have an EHCP, while an additional 15-20% of pupils will benefit from an ISP. Ms Phillipson emphasised that the system will not be "diagnosis dependent," with an expert panel focusing on addressing need rather than labels.
Political Backing and Broader Reforms
Prime Minister Keir Starmer, referencing his late brother Nick who struggled with learning difficulties, stated at a Downing Street breakfast meeting: "You can't have high standards if you don't have inclusion - they're two sides of the same coin." He highlighted that SEND issues have been raised at Prime Minister's Questions more frequently than any other topic, underscoring systemic failures.
The White Paper also includes measures to boost maternity pay for female teachers, crack down on excessive fees charged by independent special schools, and introduce National Inclusion Standards to ensure consistency across the education system.
Mixed Reactions from Education Stakeholders
Daniel Kebede, general secretary of the National Education Union, welcomed the government's ambition but criticised the announced Inclusion Grant as insufficient, noting it equates to merely a part-time teaching assistant for the average primary school.
Matt Wrack, general secretary of the NASUWT teachers' union, described the new funding as "barely a drop in the bucket" and lamented the absence of plans to reduce class sizes, which teachers believe would significantly aid inclusion efforts.
Conversely, Harry Quilter-Pinner, executive director at IPPR, supported the reforms, stating: "Reforming the SEND system to invest more in early support will ensure more children get help sooner — and that EHCPs are reserved for those with the most complex needs."
Assessments for the new system will commence in September 2029 following a 12-week consultation period, with no changes to current support expected before at least September 2030.
