Government launches major SEND reform consultation to “put children and young people first”

The UK government has opened a national consultation on sweeping reforms to the Special Educational Needs and Disabilities (SEND) system in England, promising earlier support, stronger mainstream inclusion and clearer accountability across education, health and care services.

The consultation, titled “SEND reform: putting children and young people first,” was published by the Department for Education on 23 February 2026 and will run until 18 May 2026. It seeks views from families, schools, professionals and organisations across the sector.

Ministers say the proposals aim to improve outcomes for children and young people aged 0–25 by ensuring support is delivered earlier and more consistently across local systems.

The consultation emphasises children’s rights to attend local schools, receive evidence-based help and benefit from high expectations regardless of their starting point.

The government argues that excellent education and inclusive provision should allow most pupils with SEND to succeed in mainstream settings, while ensuring specialist support is provided promptly when required.

The consultation sits alongside the government’s wider schools white paper and sets out plans for a more structured, layered SEND framework.

Key proposals reported in policy summaries include:

• a national tiered system of support
• new Individual Support Plans (ISPs) created by schools for many pupils
• nationally defined inclusion standards
• earlier intervention in mainstream schools
• clearer responsibilities for education, health and care partners

Under the proposals, legally binding Education, Health and Care Plans (EHCPs) would increasingly be reserved for the most complex needs, while most children would receive support through school-led plans.

Funding pressures driving reform

The reforms come amid mounting financial strain in the SEND system.

Recent reporting notes that EHCP numbers have more than doubled since 2014, contributing to major projected council deficits and prompting calls for systemic change.

The government says the overhaul aims both to improve inclusion and reduce adversarial processes such as tribunal disputes by resolving disagreements earlier through mediation.

Consultation open until May

The Department for Education is inviting feedback from:

• children and young people
• parents and families
• teachers and school leaders
• early years and post-16 providers
• local authorities and sector experts

Responses will help shape future legislation and implementation plans expected later in the parliamentary cycle.