The UK Government is considering major reforms to a system that helps children with additional needs.
It is reported that a White Paper is currently in the works by ministers who want to overhaul the special educational needs system to make it fit for all and workable for the future.
But there are rumours that the powers that be may look to abolish Education, Health and Care plans (EHCPs) as part of the shake up.
However, many believe they serve a purpose to children with special needs who will be the ones who suffer if ECHP is abolished.
A letter to the Guardian reported on Monday, signed by dozens of special needs and disability charities and campaigners, warned against government changes to the special education needs or disabilities (Send) system that would restrict or abolish EHCPs.
Helen Hayes, who chairs the cross-party Commons education select committee, said mistrust among many families with children with special education needs was so apparent that ministers should commit to keeping EHCPs.
She told BBC Radio 4’s Today programme: “I think at this stage that would be the right thing to do. We have been looking, as the education select committee, at the Send system for the last several months. We have heard extensive evidence from parents, from organisations that represent parents, from professionals and from others who are deeply involved in the system, which is failing so many children and families at the moment.”
But Education minister Stephen Morgan insisted parents should have “absolutely” no fear that support for children with special education needs or disabilities Send will be scaled back.
But what are EHCPs? Here is all we know:
What are EHCPs?
An EHCP is a legally binding document which describes a child or young person's special educational needs, the support they need, and the outcomes they would like to achieve.
They are applicable to children and young people up to the age of 25.
They are prepared by the local authority, in conjunction with teachers and carers.
The local authority is legally responsible for funding or directly providing all the support identified in an EHCP. This includes covering the costs of any school fees for the “named school”.
EHCPs are designed to ensure that children with Send receive the tailored assistance they need to access education on an equal footing with their peers. These plans are critical for securing additional funding, specialist teaching, and access to therapies or equipment.
The plan also provides parents or carers with a document to take to court, should funding or support be withdrawn or not stuck to.
How many are there in the country?
The most recent data from the UK Government released on June 26 shows that the number of EHCPs as of January 2025 stands at 638,745, which is 10.8 per cent higher than the figure from January 2024.
The number of new EHCPs which started during 2024 was 97,747, up 15.8 per cent on 2023.
And the need is also growing.
Figures show that the number of requests for an EHCP needs assessment was 154,489 - which is 11.8 per cent higher than in 2023 - yet only 105,340 assessments were done.
The UK Government say the number of EHCPs has increased each year since their introduction in 2014.
How much do EHCPs cost?
The National Audit Office says there has been soaring demand for support for children with SEN.
They say that over the past 10 years, funding for special needs young people has risen by 58 per cent to £10.7 billion for 2024-25.
But they say that looking ahead, for 2027-28 there is an estimated mismatch of between £2.9 billion and £3.9 billion when comparing current funding against forecast costs, hence the need for reform.
Gareth Davies, head of the NAO said: “Given that the current system costs over £10 billion a year, and that demand for SEN provision is forecast to increase further, government needs to think urgently about how its current investment can be better spent, including through more inclusive education, and developing a cohesive whole system approach.”
The way the current system operates is that the child’s school is expected to spend between £4,000 and £6,000 for the plan per child out of their budget, depending on the age of the child, and anything past this is then funded by the local authority.
What has the Government said?
The previous government looked at the Send system and started consultations on some reforms, including introducing standardised EHCPs and trying to streamline the system. Now those reforms are continuing and appear to be going further.
No formal policy has yet been announced, but recent statements from ministers suggest that the government is exploring alternatives to the current EHCP system.
In a parliamentary session, Minister for School Standards Catherine McKinnell confirmed that officials are working on a new model of SEND support. She refused to rule out significantly narrowing the scope of EHCPs or abolishing them altogether.
The Government argues that the current system is too bureaucratic, often forcing families into legal disputes with local authorities in order to secure basic support. The aim of the reforms, according to McKinnell, is to provide “better support for children at the earliest stage possible” and reduce the need for formal plans.
When will we know what the reform plans for Send will be?
Details of the government's intended approach to Send reform are expected to be set out in a Schools White Paper in the autumn.
It was initially expected in late spring, but the date was set back until the Autumn Budget.
