Need to know
The Government has just unveiled a massive overhaul of the special educational needs system
Government announces major SEND system transformation with billions invested
- The Government has announced a comprehensive transformation of the special educational needs system, backed by billions in investment to eliminate years-long delays for support that have left vulnerable pupils in difficulty.
- Keir Starmer pledged the decade-long reforms would provide “a better education for every single child”, sharing that he was inspired by his late brother Nick’s challenges with learning difficulties. The PM said Nick was “put to one side” by a failing system and “his life was very different from mine”.
- From September 2029, families will no longer endure drawn-out assessments as schools will supply immediate digital Individual Support Plans featuring three levels of assistance – Targeted, Targeted Plus and Specialist. Pupils won’t need formal diagnoses to receive speech therapy, small group provision or curriculum modifications.
- Every teacher will receive training in SEND provision whilst 60,000 additional specialist places will be established in mainstream schools, supported by £3.7billion in investment. Each secondary school must establish an inclusion base featuring appropriate lighting, acoustics and breakout facilities, reports the Mirror.
- Education, Health and Care Plans will be designated solely for pupils with the most complex requirements, with current Year 2 children the first to undergo support reassessment when transitioning to secondary education. The reforms encompass £1.8billion for an “experts at hand” programme placing specialists directly within schools.
- Teachers will receive doubled maternity pay, increasing from four to eight weeks at full salary for the first time in 25 years, whilst independent special school fees averaging £63,000 annually will be capped to prevent “unjustified” charges.
- Read more: East London Council slammed for ‘traumatising’ families with SEND children in unsafe housing
Sophie Huskisson, Fiona Leishman, Véronique Hawksworth
