The Future of SEND Support: Reform, Funding & Readiness

The future of Special Educational Needs and Disabilities (SEND) support in the UK is undergoing significant focus and reform. It’s a complicated landscape as the government considers tightening the Education, Health and Care Plan criteria (EHCPs). A rapid rise in pupils diagnosed with autistic spectrum disorder, social, emotional, and mental health needs (including ADHD), as well as speech, language, and communication needs, has fuelled an increase in EHCPs.

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.

How schools can prepare for the future of SEND support

As the delivery of SEND support transforms, the need for relevant and practical training has never been greater. With more emphasis on early identification and inclusive education, educators must understand new legislative frameworks. Schools are considering and implementing best practices in SEND support.

CPD to meet the future of SEND support
With the SEND Reform Bill and evolving education policies, the demand for educators has surged. As the SEND population grows and diversifies, educators must have specialised knowledge. CPD is essential for teachers to stay up-to-date with the latest SEND strategies, best practices, and legislation.

Extra CPD can ensure that schools and teachers meet the legal requirements. And provide appropriate support to SEND learners. A focus on individualised learning plans (ILP) means that educators need targeted training in differentiating instruction and using interventions for pupils with diverse needs. CPD supports educators in developing the skills necessary to implement these approaches.

High-quality teaching
High-quality teaching (HQT) is a solid foundation for supporting SEND learners. This includes:

Flexible grouping strategies

Cognitive and metacognitive approaches

Explicit instruction techniques

Use of technology

Scaffolding to support learning

In addition to high-quality teaching, some SEND pupils will need extra support in the form of structured interventions to make progress. And this is where Pupil Premium comes in.

Teaching assistant (TA) support
TAs can support SEND learners in several ways. This includes:

Personalised support: TAs work closely with the SEND learner to adapt tasks and instructions to their needs.

Building confidence: Offer encouragement and praise to boost self-esteem and create a positive classroom environment.

Practical assistance: Help with note-taking, organisation, and staying on task, particularly for learners who struggle with focus.

Differentiation: Adjust teaching strategies or provide tailored materials to match the learner's abilities and needs. This includes different communication methods, such as visual aids.

Social skills: Support during group activities to help aid peer interaction and inclusion.

Supporting schools with specialist SEND educators
As a specialist education recruiter, Teaching Personnel support schools navigating the evolving landscape of SEND support. By connecting schools with experienced, trained SEND educators, we help address the demand for tailored interventions and inclusive practices.

Teaching Personnel’s expertise enables us to match schools with professionals skilled in developing and implementing individualised learning plans (ILPs), adapting instruction for diverse needs, and applying effective interventions. Additionally, we offer CPD opportunities to ensure educators remain up-to-date with the latest strategies and best practices, helping schools deliver high-quality, consistent support to SEND learners. Together, we can shape the future of SEND support and ensure every learner receives the education they deserve.

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The future of SEND support

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The future of SEND support

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