Understanding the Proposed SEND Reforms: What Parents Need to Know About EHCPs, Dyslexia Assessments and School Support

SEND REFORM AND THE WHITE PAPER 2026

Recent news reports about SEND reforms have raised many questions for parents. This guide explains what is currently known, what may change, and what it could mean for children with SEND.

I work with many local families through dyslexia diagnostic assessments and SEND consultations, helping parents and schools better understand a child’s learning profile and the support they may need. As part of my work supporting children and young people with learning differences, I regularly carry out diagnostic assessments to understand a pupil’s learning profile, including whether dyslexia may be present. These assessments help identify both strengths and areas where additional support may be beneficial in school.

In recent weeks, many parents have contacted me with questions following media reports about possible changes to the SEND (Special Educational Needs and Disabilities) system in England. Understandably, there is a great deal of uncertainty about what these proposed reforms might mean for children who currently receive support, those with Education, Health and Care Plans (EHCPs), and families considering whether to seek an assessment.

Importantly, the current SEND system has not yet changed, and existing legal protections for children remain in place, but early information about potential reforms has prompted understandable questions from families. 

To help clarify some of the most common concerns I am hearing, I have set out a series of frequently asked questions below. These aim to explain what is currently known, what remains uncertain, and how the present system continues to operate.

This information for families is based on early information about proposed government reforms to Special Educational Needs and Disabilities (SEND) support in England. This is the term used to describe children and young people (usually aged 0–25) who have learning difficulties or disabilities that make it harder for them to learn than others of the same age, requiring extra educational support. Full details have not yet been published, so some aspects remain uncertain. Importantly, nothing has changed yet. The current SEND system, including Education, Health and Care Plans (EHCPs), remains fully in place.

Should parents be worried about these changes?

At present, there is no immediate cause for concern. The SEND system in England, including Education, Health and Care Plans (EHCPs), remains fully in place and existing legal protections for children have not changed. The information currently being discussed relates to proposed reforms that are still at an early stage. It will take time for any confirmed changes to be published, debated and implemented. In the meantime, children should continue to receive support under the existing SEND framework.

1. What changes to the Special Educational Needs and Disabilities (SEND) system are being discussed?

The government is expected to publish a Schools White Paper proposing reforms to SEND support. Early reports suggest the system may move towards:

• More support delivered through mainstream schools

• A school-led plan for every child with SEND

• Clearer national thresholds for different levels of support

• EHCPs being used mainly for children with the most complex needs

These proposals are partly intended to address the rapid rise in EHCP numbers and increasing SEND costs for local authorities. However, the full policy details have not yet been confirmed, and any reforms would take time to introduce.

2. What is an Individual Support Plan (ISP)?

Early reports suggest that schools may introduce Individual Support Plans (ISPs) for pupils with SEND. These plans would likely:

• Be created and managed by the school

• Describe the support a child needs in school

• Apply to a wider group of pupils than the current EHCP system

More detail is expected when the government publishes the full proposals but at this stage it is not yet clear:

• What legal status ISPs would have

• Whether parents would have appeal rights

• How they would interact with EHCPs

Children with SEND but No EHCP

3. My child has SEND (recognised by their school) but does not have an EHCP. What support should they receive?

Many children with SEND are supported through SEN Support without needing an EHCP. Under the SEND Code of Practice, schools must:

• Identify pupils with SEND

• Assess their needs

• Provide appropriate support

• Review progress regularly

Support may include:

• Differentiated teaching

• Small-group interventions

• Assistive strategies

• Adjustments to classroom teaching

Schools are expected to meet most SEND needs from their existing SEND resources.

4. If my child has dyslexia, what legal protection do they have?

If a child has a condition such as dyslexia, it may qualify as a disability under the Equality Act 2010 if it has a substantial and long-term impact on daily activities. Under the Equality Act, schools must:

• Avoid discrimination

• Make reasonable adjustments

• Ensure the child is not placed at a substantial disadvantage compared with other pupils

Reasonable adjustments might include:

• Extra processing time

• Modified instructions

• Access arrangements in assessments

• Assistive technology or supportive teaching strategies

However, the law requires reasonable adjustments, not specific programmes or interventions.

Educational Health Care Plans (EHCP) Questions

5. What is an EHCP?

An Education, Health and Care Plan (EHCP) is a legal document that sets out:

• A child’s needs

• The support required to meet those needs

• The outcomes the support is intended to achieve

The provision written in an EHCP is legally enforceable. Local authorities must ensure the specified support is provided.

6. Does having an EHCP mean the school receives extra funding?

Not necessarily. Schools are expected to fund the first part of additional support costs for pupils with SEND from their existing SEND budget (often described as roughly the first £6,000 of additional provision). If a child’s needs require provision beyond that level, the local authority may provide additional “top-up” funding. An EHCP guarantees the support written in the plan, but it does not automatically mean extra funding is attached.

7. My child is in primary school and already has an EHCP. What might the reforms mean for us?

Your child’s EHCP remains legally valid under the current system. Early reports suggest that in the future, children moving between education phases (for example primary to secondary school) may be reassessed under a revised system. However, the details of how this would work have not yet been published. For now:

• EHCPs remain fully enforceable

• Schools and local authorities must continue to provide the support written in the plan

8. My child has been recognised as having Special Educational Needs and we were about to apply for an EHCP. Should we still apply?

Yes. The current EHCP system remains in place, and parents can still request an Education, Health and Care Needs Assessment if they believe their child’s needs cannot be met through school-based support alone. Proposed reforms have not yet changed the law, so decisions should continue to be based on the current system.

Additional Questions Parents/CarersOften Ask

9. What are the benefits of obtaining a dyslexia diagnostic report?

A dyslexia diagnostic report can be helpful in several ways. It may:

• Provide a clear explanation of a child’s learning profile

• Identify specific strengths and difficulties

• Offer evidence that a child meets the criteria for dyslexia

• Support schools in understanding the adjustments a child may need

• Provide evidence if parents later seek an EHCP assessment

• Support applications for exam access arrangements in the future

While the recommendations in a diagnostic report are not legally binding, they provide valuable professional evidence that schools can use when planning appropriate support.

10. Does my school have to follow recommendations in a private dyslexia assessment report?

Schools are expected to consider professional advice carefully, but they are not legally required to implement every recommendation in a private report.

The report can still play an important role by:

• Providing evidence of need

• Informing school planning

• Supporting EHCP applications

• Helping demonstrate disability under the Equality Act if appropriate

Final reassurance for parents

At present:

• The SEND system has not changed

• EHCP rights remain in place

• Schools must continue to follow the SEND Code of Practice

More information about any proposed reforms is expected once the government publishes its full plans. Until then, families should continue to work with schools and local authorities using the current system.

Final thoughts

The SEND system can feel complicated, particularly when changes are being discussed at a national level. While the current system remains in place, understanding how support works can help parents feel more confident when speaking with schools and local authorities.

If you are concerned about your child’s learning or would like to better understand whether a dyslexia assessment may be helpful, you are welcome to get in touch for further guidance.

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