When a government publishes a White Paper, it sets out its formal policy proposals and intended direction of reform. It does not change the law immediately. Instead, it provides a framework for consultation, legislation, and phased implementation, although this is still subject to change.
Now that the SEND White Paper has been officially released, we have a clear picture of the Government’s confirmed plans to overhaul SEND support across England. These reforms are intended to be phased in over several years, with the first major transitions not beginning until 2030.
The following summary breaks down the key proposed changes and explains what they will mean for children, families, schools, and professionals.
1. A new national SEND framework based on five principles
The Government describes the reforms as being built on five principles: Early, Local, Fair, Effective and Shared support. The White Paper acknowledges that too many families have been forced to fight for support and commits to creating clear legal duties, standards and expectations across education, health and local authorities.
The Paper states that they aim to create a more consistent national system, with accountability mechanisms designed to ensure that support is delivered as intended.
2. Individual Support Plans (ISPs) for every child with SEND
A major confirmed change is the introduction of Individual Support Plans (ISPs) for any child with identified SEND, regardless of the level of need. These will be legally required in all schools and colleges, including maintained nursery schools. This makes ISPs a central legal document in the new system, with the aim of providing a guaranteed baseline of support for all children with SEND.
3. Three flexible layers of support
Support will be delivered through a universal offer plus three layers of additional SEND support:
- Targeted support
Small group interventions, adjustments, and flexible in‑school support recorded in the ISP.
- Targeted plus support
This includes access to “Experts at Hand”—specialists such as educational psychologists, speech and language therapists, and occupational therapists. It also includes access to Inclusion Bases within mainstream settings.
- Specialist support
For the most complex needs, children will be matched to a Specialist Provision Package (SPP), designed by independent panels of education, health and care experts. These packages will specify exactly what a child is entitled to receive, eliminating regional variation.
This layered model is intended to be flexible, allowing children to move between levels as needs develop, however it is unclear whether this will help to reduce the often large delays embedded into the current system.
4. EHCPs remain, but will be reformed
Education, Health and Care Plans (EHCPs) will be retained, not removed. However, under the new system:
- EHCPs will grant access to the child’s allocated Specialist Provision Package.
- New EHCPs will be digital, standardised and based on national SPPs.
- EHCPs will be reserved for children whose needs exceed that which mainstream settings can routinely provide.
- Transition to new EHCPs will begin in 2030, when the reformed mainstream system is in place.
For current EHCP holders, no changes occur before 2030, and transitions only occur at natural points (end of primary or end of secondary), and only for those currently in Year 2 or below.
5. Inclusion bases in mainstream schools
Every secondary school, and an equivalent number of primary schools, will have an Inclusion Base, with the hope of providing a calm, specialist-supported environment for interventions and regulation. These are intended to help more children remain in mainstream settings.
Special schools will also take on a dual role, acting as outreach hubs for mainstream provision.
6. Strengthened accountability and dispute resolution
The White Paper introduces some accountability reforms:
- Ofsted will inspect all settings on their SEND inclusion and support quality.
- Schools will publish an Inclusion Strategy, open to scrutiny by parents.
- Complaints panels must include an independent SEND expert.
- Mediation will be strengthened, while Tribunals remain available for EHCP disputes.
Local authorities and Integrated Care Boards will face intervention where standards are not met.
Concerns of those affected
Families, charities and SEN professionals have expressed concerns, including:
- Funding pressures: The Office for Budget Responsibility predicts a significant SEND funding gap in the years ahead, raising concerns about whether reforms can be fully delivered.
- Access to support: Some worry that fewer children may qualify for EHCPs, and that ISPs may not always carry enough legal weight. Furthermore, the re-assessment at key phase transfers are a source of concern from parents that believe this may result in a reduction of support at these key stages.
These concerns are being widely discussed, and many parents understandably feel uncertain about how the proposals may affect their child’s support in the future.
Parental right to contribute to the consultation
Parents, carers and young people have a formal right to take part in the current national consultation. This is a key opportunity to share your experiences and shape how the new system will work before any changes are finalised.
It is also important for parents, advocates and schools to know that the White Paper is not the final stage of the process. These proposals must still pass through several further steps (public consultation, revised drafting, and then the full parliamentary process) before any changes can become law. This means that the final system may differ from what is currently outlined. Your feedback during the consultation period can therefore play a meaningful role in shaping how the reforms develop over the coming years.
Parents, carers and young people are encouraged to share their views through written responses and engagement events. You can contribute here : SEND reform: putting children and young people first – Department for Education – Citizen Space.
How solicitors can assist
At Fisher Jones Greenwood, our dedicated SEND solicitors have carefully analysed the new White Paper, and we know how overwhelming proposed major system changes can feel for families and schools. As the reforms develop further, we’re here to make the process clearer and easier, and support you along the way. Whether you’re a parent trying to understand the effect of the proposed reforms on your child’s provision, or a school navigating fresh statutory duties, our team can step in with clear, practical guidance.
We can support you through needs assessments, advising on alternative forms of education or placements, and challenging inadequate support through complaints systems, mediation or, where necessary, the SEND Tribunal. With the biggest reforms in a decade now underway, having expert legal advice early on can make all the difference, and we’re here to help you secure the right support, at the right time, so your child can truly thrive.
Sam Howlett is a Solicitor in our Family team advising clients in Special Educational Needs law, and a broad range of family matters, including divorce, finances and children cases, as well as having experience in child protection issues and Social Services.
If you have any queries on the above subject, please do not hesitate to get in touch with Sam on 0845 543 5700 or complete our online enquiry form.