Phillipson Commits to Inclusive Send System Overhaul
Education Secretary Bridget Phillipson has vowed that children with the most complex special educational needs and disabilities (Send) will retain their education, health and care plans (EHCPs) under sweeping government reforms. The pledge comes amid concerns that some young people might lose access to vital support as the system undergoes transformation.
Ending the Parental Battle for Support
Speaking at a school in Peterborough while unveiling the Schools White Paper, Phillipson promised the Government would "take away that fight that so many parents" face when seeking legally-guaranteed support for their children. Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer has declared the current system "does not work," emphasizing his administration's goal to deliver "a better education for every child" through these changes.
The Department for Education estimates that the proportion of children with Send receiving EHCPs will begin declining annually from 2030. Currently, EHCPs are legal documents outlining the support children with Send are entitled to receive. The number issued has skyrocketed to 638,745 as of January 2025 for individuals up to age 25, up from 353,995 in 2019, creating spiraling costs and significant deficits for local councils.
New Individual Support Plans System
Under the proposed reforms, a new system called individual support plans (ISPs) will be introduced with legal standing for all children with Send. These plans will feature multiple tiers of support—targeted and targeted plus—and will not require a formal diagnosis for access. Phillipson stressed the system will be "dependent on need, not diagnosis," noting that while some autistic children require specialist provision, others can thrive in mainstream settings with appropriate support.
"This is dependent on individual need, not an arbitrary definition," the Education Secretary told reporters. Children with the most complex needs will continue to have EHCPs, which will underpin new specialist provision packages. Assessments for the new system will commence in September 2029 following a twelve-week consultation period, with no changes to current support before at least September 2030.
Transition Timeline and Safeguards
When new legislation takes effect, children with existing EHCPs will be reassessed at the end of their education phase to determine if they require a specialist provision package. If so, a new EHCP will be developed. Regardless of outcome, schools will have a statutory duty to create an ISP for each child. Government projections indicate approximately one in eight children with Send currently holding an EHCP will transition to new plans between 2030 and 2035.
The percentage of pupils with EHCPs is predicted to rise until 2029/30 before dropping to around 4.7% by 2034/35, down from the current 5.8% for 2025/26. Children in year three or above will retain their EHCPs until at least age sixteen, while those in year two or below will be reassessed upon transitioning to year seven.
Policy documents guarantee that all children moving from EHCPs to ISPs will "retain the right to request a mainstream placement, and no child will move from a special school or college unless they choose to do so."
Funding and Implementation Framework
The reforms are backed by a £4 billion investment in England's Send system to enhance inclusivity and provide earlier support access. Mainstream schools, colleges, and early years providers will receive £1.6 billion over three years to assist Send children. An additional £1.8 billion will establish area-based specialist banks comprising Send teachers and speech and language therapists that schools can access regardless of whether a child has an EHCP.
Schools watchdog Ofsted will monitor ISP implementation, with inadequate standards potentially leading to new school management. While the Department for Education aims to make Send tribunals a "last resort," parents will retain appeal rights regarding EHCP assessments and support thresholds. Challenges to ISPs will proceed through standard school and local council complaints procedures.
Mixed Reactions and Additional Commitments
Children's commissioner Dame Rachel de Souza broadly welcomed the plans but emphasized that "no child should fear losing their support," pledging collaboration with Government and families. The Institute for Public Policy Research praised reforms for ensuring "more children get help sooner" while reserving EHCPs for those with most complex needs.
However, Conservative shadow education secretary Laura Trott expressed concerns, vowing to "oppose any support being withdrawn." NASUWT general secretary Matt Wrack criticized the funding level as "ridiculous" for adequate Send provision overhaul.
Beyond Send reforms, the Government aims to halve the disadvantage gap by the time children born under this administration complete secondary school, with poorer students achieving approximately one full GCSE grade higher. Five former education secretaries have urged Labour MPs to support the Send plans.
Additional measures include writing off 90% of council high needs deficits accrued to date, managing Send costs within the overall Government budget from 2028, £200 million for teacher Send training, and £3 billion to create about 50,000 new school places for Send children, including mainstream settings.
When questioned about teacher recruitment for reform delivery, Phillipson acknowledged "there is more to do" despite progress toward the target of 6,500 additional teachers, emphasizing that recruiting and retaining excellent educators is "absolutely critical" for building a more inclusive system.
