SEND reform: reactions from families and schools to the government's new plans

The Schools White Paper proposes school-drawn Individual Support Plans and sets EHCP reassessments from September 2029, with EHCPs to be reserved for the most complex needs by 2035; the government has pledged £4bn for SEND over three years.

The government has published a Schools White Paper proposing changes to the special educational needs and disabilities (SEND) system in England. It would introduce Individual Support Plans (ISPs) drawn up by schools and classed as targeted, targeted plus, or specialist. The paper sets dates for reassessing Education, Health and Care Plans (EHCPs) and signals a narrower future entitlement. The government also announced £4bn of investment in SEND provision over the next three years. Key details: - The White Paper proposes ISPs created by schools and grouped into three categories: targeted, targeted plus, and specialist. - EHCP entitlements are to be reassessed from September 2029 as children move between education stages. - By 2035, EHCPs are planned to be reserved for children with the most complex needs. - The government said it would invest £4bn in SEND provision over the next three years and Education Secretary Bridget Phillipson said the changes aim to provide earlier and faster support. Summary: The proposals shift routine support toward school-drawn ISPs while narrowing EHCP entitlement to the most complex cases. Next formal steps include reassessments beginning in September 2029 and the 2035 timeline for reserving EHCPs; other implementation details are undetermined at this time.