The Government is being urged to create a new statutory category of support for young individuals with special educational needs and disabilities (SEND), according to a recent report. A SEND taskforce established by the Institute for Public Policy Research (IPPR) has proposed implementing a revised framework for additional learning support within schools, alongside a restructuring of education, health, and care plans (EHCPs). These changes would be managed by local authorities to address the most complex needs.
While the taskforce recommends retaining existing EHCPs, which are essential legal documents outlining the necessary support for children with SEND, it emphasizes that no child should lose their plan until there is a significant enhancement in support for families through comprehensive reforms. This recommendation follows the Government”s announcement to postpone the release of its Schools White Paper, which includes proposed SEND reforms, until early next year.
Geoff Barton, who previously served as general secretary of the Association of School and College Leaders (ASCL) and is now chairing the IPPR”s inclusion taskforce, highlighted that the establishment of a statutory category for support provides “important reassurance for parents.” There have been concerns regarding potential reductions in EHCPs under governmental changes, but education minister Georgia Gould has assured that there will always be a legal right to additional support for young people with SEND.
When asked whether effective reforms could reduce the number of EHCPs issued, Barton acknowledged that it was a possibility, stating, “If a child has been granted an EHCP, then you don”t suddenly start taking that away.” Instead, he noted the need to explore alternative routes for support.
The proposal for a statutory additional learning support system aims to identify and address potential learning barriers as early as possible in a child”s life. Barton pointed out that speech and language difficulties affect approximately 50% of children with SEND, suggesting that local resources, such as speech and language therapy expertise, could provide timely support, minimizing the waiting period for an EHCP, which can exceed a year in some cases.
The taskforce also emphasized the importance of government investment in early intervention, which includes increased funding for SEND professionals in schools and enhanced teacher training. Margaret Mulholland, a SEND and inclusion specialist at ASCL, noted that tackling the “insufficient core funding” in schools is vital for the success of any new SEND framework. She added that families view these plans as a legal assurance of support for their children, and any new strategy must aim to maintain their trust.
The IPPR established the inclusion taskforce over the summer to address the crisis within the SEND system. Research indicates that one in 14 young people waited over a year for their EHCP to be issued in 2024, while the number of assessments conducted by local authorities surged by 250% from 2013 to 2024. Furthermore, only 46.4% of EHCPs were issued within the statutory timeframe of 20 weeks last year.
In Leeds, for instance, more than 57.2% of young people waited over a year for their EHCP in 2024. A representative from Leeds City Council stated that efforts to expedite the assessment process have already resulted in a 117% increase in EHCPs completed within the first three months of 2025 compared to the same period the previous year. In Kirklees and Leicestershire, 46.2% and 44.6% of plans, respectively, were issued after more than a year.
A spokesperson for Leicestershire County Council mentioned that additional resources and ongoing efforts have decreased timescales to an average of 24 weeks over the last year. Similarly, Kirklees Council has reportedly doubled the number of EHCPs issued within the 20-week timeframe, surpassing the national average.
Despite improvements in certain areas, research indicates that poverty, the impact of the Covid-19 pandemic, and cuts to support services may have contributed to the dramatic increase in demand for SEND support. Barton stressed that any reform efforts will require careful planning, the building of cross-party consensus, and a clear timeline from the Government. Baroness Morgan, a member of the IPPR inclusion taskforce and former education secretary, remarked that merely adjusting the current system will not suffice to ensure that all children, particularly those with additional needs, receive a quality education.
A spokesperson from the Department for Education (DfE) stated that it is unacceptable for parents to have to “fight for every scrap of support.” The DfE is already engaged in initiatives to ensure that support is routinely available at the earliest stages, which includes improved teacher training, an investment of £740 million to create more specialist school places, and earlier intervention for speech and language needs, as well as embedding SEND leads in Best Start Family Hubs across all local areas.
