SEND White Paper: Your Child’s Place in School Is Secure

The Government has recently published a new SEND White Paper titled Putting Children and Young People First.

It sets out long-term ambitions and priorities for the future of the SEND system. Importantly, any proposed changes would take a number of years to develop and introduce.

The focus is on improving outcomes for children and young people with SEND, strengthening inclusion in mainstream schools, supporting attendance and wellbeing, and providing greater support and training for the education workforce.

What does this mean for your child?

At its heart, the message for families is clear: Nothing is changing for your child right now.

• EHCPs remain in place
• School placements remain unchanged
• The support your child receives continues as it is
• Daily routines and provision stay the same

There are no immediate changes to your child’s education.

What is being proposed?

The White Paper outlines ideas to improve and reform the SEND system over time, including:

• More SEND training and inclusion units in mainstream schools
• Clearer pathways for children to access support earlier
• National expectations for specialist provision
• Improved planning by Local Authorities
• Recognition of the vital role of specialist schools

For schools within our group, it is reassuring to see clear recognition that specialist provision is essential. For some children and young people, a specialist setting will always be the right place – and this is acknowledged within the proposals.

Your child’s school place is secure.
Children and young people with an EHCP will not lose it, and families will not be required to move to a different type of plan.

What happens next?

A 12-week consultation period is now underway. Following this, further development work will take place over several years. Any legal changes are unlikely before 2029.

We understand that national policy announcements can feel worrying. Please be assured that our focus remains exactly where it should be – on delivering exceptional education and care for every child and young person we support.

If you have any questions, please speak to your school team. They are always there to support you and your family.