Herald Express: What can we expect from SEND reforms?

Parliament is in recess this week, giving MPs a chance to spend time in the constituency and take a breath after a turbulent time in Westminster.  

With the Mandelson affair and questions over the Prime Minister’s future still rumbling on, it can be easy to forget that the legislative work of parliament is still ongoing. But the wheels keep turning, and next week we expect to see something that could transform the lives of thousands.  

Next Monday the government will finally publish its delayed Schools White Paper. Originally due last autumn, the paper will detail the government’s long-trailed plans to reform special educational needs and disabilities (SEND). 

There was cautious optimism when the Education Secretary revealed her intentions to reform SEND last summer. At long last, it appeared a government was willing to grasp the nettle, and there was real energy from parties across the political spectrum to work together to find a solution for the children and parents who have been so consistently failed.  

But nearly twelve months have passed since Bridget Phillipson’s announcement and amid the delays, a creeping nervousness has set in, fuelled by anonymous briefings which happen far too often.  

In the vacuum, we have heard whispers of parents being blocked from tribunal challenges, plans to maximise the number of SEND children in mainstream schools and slashing of transport provision. For their part, the Department of Education has consistently responded to these rumours by saying they do not comment on speculation.  

The most prevalent and concerning rumour is that the government is planning to drastically reduce the number of education, health and care plans (EHCPs). EHCPs are legally binding documents that are meant to ensure a child or young person with SEND gets the support they need from their local authority.  

Thanks to our broken SEND system, parents view EHCPs as a vital pillar of accountability to ensure their child gets support. But just last week, ‘The I’ reported that SEND children could lose any support guaranteed under their EHCP from 2030 onwards.  

If the rumours are to be believed, a new reformed SEND system will come into place between 2030 and 2035, with EHCPs being reserved only for pupils with the greatest needs. 

This chimes with other reports that suggest children with moderate mental health and developmental needs will be stripped of their legal right to certain support. Instead, EHCPs will be restricted only to those with the most severe and complex requirements.  

Although these are only rumours, it is notable that ministers have spent the last year refusing to deny plans to scale back EHCPs. As Schools Spokesperson for the Liberal Democrats, I find this concerning.

We simply cannot get rid of this legal requirement to support children until our mainstream schools have been transformed so they genuinely can and do support children with less severe educational needs.   

When the Education Secretary revealed her plans last summer, the Liberal Democrats published our five principles for SEND reform. Number one was putting children and families first – the absolute bottom line for delivering changes that will work and win the support of families. I fear the government will fail this test.  

It is clear how terrified SEND parents are about restrictions to EHCPs – almost 50% say they are worried their child will lose support.  

The government may argue it listened to parents during its so-called national conversation on SEND reforms, but I’m afraid that doesn’t pass the smell test.  

The conversation closed in the middle of January, less than a month before the expected publication of the Schools White Paper. How could the government digest any findings and translate them into policy in such a short window?  

This latest SEND saga began with the Education Secretary promising lofty reforms. Since then, the cost of support has dominated the conversation. Clearly this is important, but I hope the government has also thought about the societal, economic and psychological cost of slashing support, both on parents and children. If they have, some of the plans leaked to the press should never become policy.