SEND white paper 2026: EHCPs to be reserved for complex cases as Government unveils radical new rights for children
SEND White Paper sets out sweeping reforms. Image Credit: PA
The UK government has unveiled sweeping reforms to the Special Educational Needs and Disabilities (SEND) system, promising what it calls a “radical expansion in rights” for children across England. The changes, set out in the Schools White Paper titled Every Child Achieving and Thriving, aim to overhaul what ministers describe as a “broken” system that has left families battling for support.
Announced on 23 February 2026 by the Department of Education and Education Secretary Bridget Phillipson, the reforms will introduce Individual Support Plans (ISPs) for all children with SEND and gradually reserve Education, Health and Care Plans (EHCPs) for the most complex cases by 2035.
What the SEND White Paper Means for EHCPs by 2035
Under the new framework, EHCPs, legally binding documents outlining a child’s entitlement to support, will be retained but restricted to children with the most complex specialist needs.
Currently, around 639,000 young people up to age 25 in England hold EHCPs, a figure that has more than doubled in a decade. Ministers say rising demand has made the system financially unsustainable.
From 2029, children will be reassessed for EHCPs as they transition between education phases, such as moving from primary to secondary school. By 2035, EHCPs will sit within a new “Specialist” tier of support, guided by nationally defined Specialist Provision Packages.
Importantly, the government has introduced transitional protections:
- Children already in special schools by 2029 can remain until they complete their education.
- Pupils in Year 3 or above will not be required to move to an ISP-only model before finishing secondary school.
- ISPs will be in place before any EHCP transitions occur to prevent gaps in support.
Introduction of Individual Support Plans (ISPs) for All SEND Pupils
A key pillar of the White Paper is the introduction of Individual Support Plans (ISPs), a new legal requirement for schools to provide tailored plans for every child identified with SEND.
More than 1.7 million pupils in England receive some form of SEND support, yet over 70% do not have legally enforceable rights under the current system. ISPs aim to close that gap.
Each ISP will draw from a national framework of evidence-based interventions, while being personalised by teachers and specialists. Schools will be required to provide support routinely, without parents needing to pursue legal battles.
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Multi-Billion Pound Investment in SEND Support
The reforms are backed by significant funding commitments:
- £1.6 billion inclusion grant for mainstream schools.
- £3.7 billion to create more than 60,000 new specialist places.
- £1.8 billion for the “Experts at Hand” programme to expand access to educational psychologists and therapists.
- £200 million for teacher training and SEND professional development.
The government says it is also recruiting 6,500 new teachers to address staffing shortages.
Prime Minister described SEND as the issue raised most frequently at Prime Minister’s Questions, calling reform essential to ensuring “high standards and inclusion.”
Digitisation, Accountability and SEND Tribunal Protections
Both EHCPs and ISPs will be digitised to reduce bureaucracy and improve transparency. The complaints process will be strengthened, including the addition of independent SEND experts to review disputes over ISP decisions.
The SEND Tribunal will remain in place as a legal safeguard, allowing parents to challenge decisions about assessments, provision packages and school placements.
Education Secretary Bridget Phillipson stated: “Today’s plans will take children with SEND from sidelined and excluded to seen, heard and included.”
Reaction from School Leaders and Families
The reforms have drawn cautious optimism from sector leaders.
The National Association of Head Teachers welcomed the ambition but emphasised the need for sustained funding. The Association of School and College Leaders said mainstream inclusion and early intervention are “the right way to go.”
Children’s Commissioner Rachel de Souza welcomed the focus on children’s rights but acknowledged parental anxiety about reassessments.
Many parents have described the current SEND system as an “uphill struggle,” with tribunal cases reaching record levels in 2024/25.
Why the SEND System Is Being Reformed
Official figures show:
- 1 in 5 pupils in England receive SEND support.
- EHCP numbers have doubled in ten years.
- Fewer than half of EHCPs were issued within the 20-week legal deadline in 2024.
- SEND spending has risen by two-thirds in a decade.
The National Audit Office previously described the system as financially unsustainable for councils while failing to improve outcomes for children.
The White Paper sets out a decade-long mission to rebuild trust, prioritise early intervention and ensure support stretches “from birth to the workplace.”
FAQ
What is the SEND White Paper 2026?
The SEND White Paper is a government policy document outlining major reforms to England’s Special Educational Needs and Disabilities system, including new Individual Support Plans and EHCP changes.
Are EHCPs being scrapped?
No. EHCPs will remain but will be reserved for the most complex cases by 2035 under a new Specialist tier of support.
What are Individual Support Plans (ISPs)?
ISPs are legally required personalised plans for all children identified with SEND, designed to provide early and accessible support in mainstream schools.
When will SEND reforms start?
Transitional changes begin from 2029, with reassessments occurring at key educational transition points.
Will children lose existing EHCPs?
Children will keep their EHCPs until they move to the next phase of education. Transitional protections aim to prevent sudden loss of support.
How much funding is being invested in SEND?
The government has pledged billions, including £1.6bn for inclusion grants, £3.7bn for specialist places and £1.8bn for expert support services.
What happens if parents disagree with a decision?
Parents can still appeal through the SEND Tribunal and use strengthened mediation and complaints processes.
Why is the SEND system changing?
Rising demand, funding pressures and long delays in assessments have led the government to describe the current system as financially unsustainable and ineffective.