The future of SEND support

 With EHCP numbers surging and local authority budgets under pressure, ministers may revise the 2014 legislation to encourage more SEND pupils into mainstream schools. 

Education Secretary Bridget Phillipson has emphasised the need to rethink SEND funding. Alongside discussions on EHCPs, the Government is working on a broader strategy that includes investment, a more unified system, and greater inclusion in mainstream education. 

With a white paper in the works, the future of SEND support remains in the balance.  

Government roadmap 
The government has outlined a roadmap to improve the SEND system. This includes a £2.6 billion investment by the end of 2025 to create new places and enhance existing provisions. This plan aims to establish national standards and improve consistency across local authorities.  

Parliamentary inquiry 
The Education Committee has launched an inquiry to address the ongoing SEND crisis. This includes examining funding reforms, improving inclusivity in mainstream schools, and ensuring better multi-agency collaboration.  

Increased inclusion in mainstream schools 
There is a strong drive to increase SEND provision in mainstream schools, including more SEN units and resourced provisions. In a December 2024 press release, secretary of state for education Bridget Phillipson wrote: “My commitment to reform – making tangible changes to the SEND system to improve experiences for children and families – could not be clearer and building a system where more children with SEND can attend mainstream schools is central to our plans.”  

Funding  
In December 2024, the government announced new specialist places in mainstream schools. Reforms to the SEND system were initiated with a £740 million capital investment to create more specialist places. It will pave the way for the government's plans for reform to help SEND pupils have their needs met in mainstream schools. This new funding can be used to adapt classrooms to be more accessible for SEND pupils and to create specialist facilities within mainstream schools that can deliver more intensive support adapted to pupils' needs.  

Workforce development 
There are plans to take a joint approach to SEND workforce planning between the Department for Education and the Department of Health and Social Care, aiming to complete this work by 2025. This includes addressing the urgent need for more educational psychologists, specialist staff, and therapists.