Why Are Families Worried About Labour’s Possible Changes to SEND Education?

Ongoing Challenges with SEND Support

At Senploy, we recognise the ongoing challenges faced by families of children with special educational needs and disabilities (SEND) across England. The current system, based on Education, Health, and Care Plans (EHCPs), is under heightened scrutiny as government ministers consider significant reforms in response to rising demand and costs.

The Realities Families Face

Rowan, 14, from Worcestershire, exemplifies the struggles many families endure. Diagnosed with autism and anxiety at age five, Rowan found mainstream schools could not meet his needs. Although legally entitled to support through an EHCP, Rowan experienced repeated breaches—his therapies were withdrawn, and ultimately his EHCP provisions were not honoured despite tribunal appeals. Across the country, vulnerable children continue to miss out on essential interventions when statutory support is not enforced.

Escalating Demand and System Delays

The number of children identified with SEND has surged to over 1.7 million in England as of January 2025, while EHCP requests have doubled since 2020. Yet, less than half (45.9%) of these plans are currently issued within the legal 20-week timeframe, sometimes leaving children like Charlotte in Devon waiting for years without adequate support. Implementation rates vary dramatically depending on local authority resources; while some councils meet deadlines, others, faced with escalated demand and limited funding, cannot.

Concerns Over Proposed Reforms

Ministers are considering the potential abolition of EHCPs, a proposal that has mobilised concerned parents to campaign for statutory safeguards. EHCPs not only define the right to support but offer legal recourse when local authorities fail in their duties. The anxiety surrounding proposed reforms is compounded by fears that, without EHCPs, children’s statutory protections might disappear, leaving families with little leverage when support is withheld.

The Need for Systemic Change, Not Reduced Protection

Senploy and sector experts believe reform is essential—yet such change must preserve robust legal protections for children with SEND. As Julie Allan, Professor of Education at the University of Birmingham, notes, “In an ideal world, children’s needs would be met without EHCPs, but currently, statutory plans are vital.” Charity leaders and parents alike urge the government to maintain EHCPs for those who need them and to improve enforcement, ensuring no child is excluded from high-quality support.

Conclusion

SEND provision in England is at a crossroads. Senploy joins families, educators, and sector advocates in pushing for a fairer system—one that upholds legal protections, delivers timely and effective support, and responds compassionately to every child’s unique needs.