SEND Reform

What are these documents?

Every Child Achieving and Thriving White Paper outlines a number of changes that government are hoping to make. This is across the broader scope of education and includes their vision for all children in the UK, including those with special educational needs and/or disabilities (SEND).

The SEND Reform: Putting Children and Young People First details the proposed changes, and the government will be gathering more views before any changes are made. The consultation closed on Monday 18th May 2026. 

What does this mean for me?

Nothing will change immediately. We appreciate there is a lot of new information to process, and this may be a worrying time for some families.

• there are no immediate changes to existing support, EHCPs or school provision
• children and young people will continue to be supported under the current SEND Code of Practice
• any future changes will be introduced gradually, with families involved
• children and young people will continue to be supported throughout

We're committed to keeping you informed every step of the way and to listening to families' views as plans continue to develop. As soon as we know more, we'll share updates and make sure you have the information you need to understand what's happening and why. 

Key changes proposed in the white paper 

1. The government wants support to be clearer and more consistent. The changes aim to make support fairer and easier to understand, so you know what help your child should get wherever you live.
2. The government wants your child to get help sooner. The white paper focuses on spotting needs early and giving support early, so problems won't grow over time.
3. Every child with additional needs will have an Individual Support Plan (ISP). The changes bring in legal digital ISPs for all children with additional needs, not only those with an EHCP.
4. Support will come in three levels, based on your child’s needs:
   1. targeted: small-group teaching or help with speech, language or sensory needs
   2. targeted plus: help from specialists such as Educational Psychologists and Speech and Language Therapists
   3. specialist: for children with the most complex needs, with support through an EHCP or a specialist placement
5. EHCPs will stay, but will be streamlined and the system should be simpler. They will still support children with the most complex needs, but the process will become digital and more standardised nationally from 2030.
6. Schools must publish an inclusion strategy. Every school will need to show clearly how it supports children with SEND by publishing an Inclusion Strategy instead of the old SEN information report. This means:
   1. you can compare schools more easily

   2. you will know what your child’s school should offer

       

The Department for Education (DfE) have published a number of documents to give you a summary of their proposed changes, including:

• What parents of children and young people with SEND need to know [PDF 210KB] - Outlines their key proposals and addresses some frequently asked questions.
• Information on SEND reform for parents and carers who have children with EHCPs [PDF 246KB] - Includes more information about the new proposals for a tiered support system, including education, health and care plans (EHCPs), and the new Individual Support Plans and Specialist Provision Packages. It also includes a proposed timeline of the transition to their new system.
• Information on SEND reform for parents and carers of children and young people in special schools [PDF 179KB] - Includes more information about your child's school placement, and if your child currently attends a special school. 

• Information on SEND Reform for parents and carers of children receiving SEND support in mainstream schools and colleges [PDF 226KB] - Includes more information about what families can expect at SEND support level under the new proposals. 

   

There are further documents available for those who work in early years, mainstream, post-16 and specialist settings: Every child achieving and thriving and SEND consultation supporting information - GOV.UK. 

What about at a local level?

Every area is required to develop a SEND reform plan, setting out how it will strengthen and improve its SEND offer over the next three years. We want to develop this plan together, making sure it reflects what truly matters to children, young people, and their families in Cumberland, and is shaped by their lived experiences. 

We would really value hearing your thoughts as a parent or carer on the government's proposed changes, and how you feel these could work best for children and families in Cumberland. This survey will close on Monday June 1st, 2026. 

Join our Parent/ Carer Forum, SENDAC

Throughout this process we will work very closely with the statutory parent-carer forum for Cumberland, SENDAC, to ensure we hear the voices and views of Cumberland families. We will keep all families up to date of our progress. SENDAC are currently reviewing the White Paper, SEND Reform Consultation Paper and the proposed changes, and intend to publish a response soon. You can follow SENDAC on Facebook. Any parent/carer is also welcome to become a member of SENDAC. They are a key partner in the Cumberland SEND Partnership and are always looking for new members to ensure the voices of parents and carers are heard in Cumberland.