SEND Reform White Paper: Major Changes Planned for Special Educational Needs Support
The UK government has released proposals for sweeping changes to how children with special educational needs are supported. The reforms introduce Individual Support Plans for all children with SEND and plan to reserve Education, Health and Care Plans (EHCPs) for those with the most complex needs by 2035.
What Is Changing and When
On 23 February 2026 the UK Government announced plans to make major changes to the Special Educational Needs and Disabilities (SEND) system, including almost £4 billion of extra funding for pupils with Special Educational Needs but also changes including that by 2035 EHCPs will be reserved only for those with the most complex special educational needs.
Phase 2 (2026/27 to 2027/28) involves preparing for major SEND and curriculum reforms, including investment in staff training and early rollout of the National Inclusion Standards, with preparatory work beginning for the three-layer SEND support structure (Universal, Targeted/Targeted Plus and Specialist), Individual Support Plans, Specialist Provision Packages and the updated SEND Code of Practice.
What Stays Protected Right Now
There will be no changes to Education, Health and Care Plans (EHCPs) before at least September 2030, and the details of the eventual reform are still being finalised. The Children and Families Act 2014 is still the law, protecting children and young people with SEND, and if your child has an Education, Health and Care Plan (EHCP), it remains a legally binding document.
Support Beyond EHCPs
The 2026 SEND reforms are a set of government changes designed to help children get support earlier and more consistently, especially in mainstream schools, including new funding for early intervention, easier access to specialist advice, and clearer expectations for how schools plan and record support.
What this means for newcomer families with children with SEND: If your child has or needs special educational support, the new SEND reforms offer both opportunity and uncertainty. Existing EHCP holders remain protected for the next four years, and additional funding and early intervention services are rolling out now. However, if you are new to the UK system and your child needs assessment, contact your local authority's SEND team early—waiting times are often long, and understanding local provision and timelines will help you plan ahead. The reforms emphasize earlier, more consistent support in mainstream settings, which may make inclusion easier for newly arrived families.
Sources
MyHAbroad is an independent app and is not affiliated with, endorsed by, or representing any government or public authority. This is general information only — not legal, tax, medical, or financial advice. Always verify with the official source before acting:
