Radical SEND support shake-up risks political backlash

"The reforms will be a complete system redesign, with children with Education Health and Care Plans (EHCPs) to be reassessed as they move from primary up to secondary school from 2029. The BBC understands this will sit alongside an extension of legal rights to include all children with SEND through school-led Individual Support Plans (ISP). Paul Whiteman, the General Secretary of the National Association of Headteachers, told the BBC "the current system fails children and fails schools"."

"In England, there are around 482,000 school children with ECHPs, which set out in detail their individual legal rights to support. Once those up to the age of 25 and those not in school are taken into account the full number of people with an EHCP in England rises to almost 639,000. Many parents seek to get an EHCP in place before the end of primary school, often after a lengthy and frustrating process involving going to tribunals to challenge local authorities."

"Under the new system, the BBC understands children moving through each phase of education, so from primary to secondary, then potentially from secondary to college will be moved to the new system. This means they will be reassessed. As the government seeks to control rapidly rising costs, this will mean a smaller proportion retain these plans which involve health and social care as well as education needs."

England will implement a complete redesign of special educational needs and disabilities (SEND) support, starting reassessments of children with Education, Health and Care Plans (EHCPs) at major school transitions from 2029. Legal rights will be extended through school-led Individual Support Plans (ISPs) covering all children with identified SEND. The reforms aim to control rapidly rising costs, so fewer children are expected to retain EHCPs that include health and social care. Around 482,000 schoolchildren currently hold ECHPs, rising to almost 639,000 when those up to 25 and out-of-school are included. Many parents obtain EHCPs after lengthy assessment and tribunal processes.

Read at www.bbc.com