In this week’s episode of The Autism Mums Podcast, we’re talking about the UK Government's proposed SEND reforms and what they might mean for families like ours.

Key Takeaways

Understanding EHCPs: An EHCP (Education, Health and Care Plan) is a legal document that outlines a child's special educational needs and the necessary support for their educational journey.

Rising Demand: The number of EHCPs has significantly increased, with 638,745 in place as of January 2025, reflecting a 10.8% rise from the previous year, highlighting the growing demand for support.

Concerns About Reforms: There is considerable concern that the upcoming SEND reforms may reduce support rather than improve the system, especially given the government’s acknowledgment that local authorities are struggling to meet demand.

Legal Protections: Many families fear that proposed changes could eliminate essential legal protections currently provided by EHCPs, which are crucial for ensuring children receive the support they need.

Impact of Delays: Families often experience delays in securing EHCPs, with only 46.4% of new plans issued within the statutory timeframe of 20 weeks, leading to unmet educational needs.

Emotional Toll on Families: The process of securing an EHCP can be overwhelming, contributing to stress and burnout for families, who often feel they are fighting an uphill battle for their children's rights.

Consequences of Exclusion: Statistics indicate that permanent exclusions from schools have risen by 39%, disproportionately affecting children with SEND and leading to significant emotional and academic consequences.

Teacher Training Needs: Many teachers report a lack of adequate training to support children with SEND, impacting classroom management and the overall learning environment.

Investment in Support: Investing in early support and adequate resources for both children and educators is essential for fostering a productive and inclusive educational environment.

Call to Action: Parents and carers are encouraged to advocate for their children's needs by engaging with local MPs, participating in consultations, and joining community efforts like the Fight for Ordinary SEND Rally to ensure their voices are heard.

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Transcript

Victoria Bennion: [00:00:00 ] Today

we're talking about a topic that's been on many parents' minds, the

UK government's proposed send reforms, and what they might mean

for families like ours.

Natalie Tealdi: To start things off, let's define what an EHCP is

and why it matters. An EHCP or Education, health and Care plan is a

legal document that outlines a child's special educational needs and

the support that they must receive at school and beyond.

Victoria

Bennion: Yeah. The thing is that these plans are essential

because they ensure that children receive the necessary support to

thrive. However, the possibility of eh HCPs being scrapped has like

understandably left so many of us feeling anxious about the future of

our children. Eh, HCPs aren't often something that are easy to get

and a lot of families have fought really hard to secure them.

Natalie

Tealdi: So what's changing? The government has stated that

the send system is on its knees and that local authorities are

struggling to meet. Demand [00:01:00 ]

reforms are expected to be announced in October, but there's

considerable concern among parents and professionals that these

changes could reduce support rather than address existing problems.

Victoria

Bennion: Yeah, that's a significant worry. An EHCP is a

legally binding document that ensures children and young people with

special educational needs in England receive appropriate support from

their local authority. It's vital for their educational journey and

overall wellbeing.

Natalie

Tealdi: Definitely full details of the proposed changes

are due in October, but ministers have not ruled out scrapping the

education plans altogether, insisting that no decisions have been

made yet. This uncertainty is particularly troubling, especially in

light of recent welfare changes prompted by a rebellion among back

bench labor mps.

The education secretary

indicated that this has made future spending decisions harder, which

just adds to the anxiety

Victoria

Bennion: right, and, the numbers tell a compelling

[00:02:00 ] story. Data from the

Department for Education released in June showed that the number of

EH HCPs had increased significantly in January, 2025. There were ,

638,745 eh HCPs in place, reflecting a 10.8% increase from the

previous year.

Natalie

Tealdi: and it doesn't end there. The number of new plans

initiated during 2024 grew by 15.8% compared to the previous year

reaching 97,747. Requests for children to be assessed for eh HCPs

rose by 11.8% to 154,489 in 2023. Just illustrating the increasing

demand for support, which local authorities are struggling to manage.

Victoria

Bennion: A spokesperson from the Department for Education

has attempted to reassure us stating we have been clear that there

are no [00:03:00 ] plans to abolish, send

Tribunals, or to remove funding or support from children, families,

and schools. However, many of us remain skeptical given the ongoing

challenges.

And earlier today, Nat, you

sent me the response to the government's petition that we signed, the

retain legal right to assessment and support in education for

children with SEND. I think what's really important here is reading

between the lines in what they say. So you know, they open with.

There will always be a legal right to additional support for children

with Send.

No decisions have been made on

changes to legislation. We are engaging with families on improvements

to send provision as part of our Plan for Change. We're determined to

improve the system of support for children with Send and their

families. We are working to restore families' trust by ensuring early

years schools and post 16 settings have the tools to better identify

and meet need earlier, and ensure more children and young [00:04:00 ]

people can receive their education in inclusive, mainstream settings

with their peers.

We are committed to. I think

this is the bit you willing need to listen to ensuring a legal right

to additional support for children and young people with sand,

ensuring all children and young people have the support they need to

achieve and thrive improving inclusivity and expertise in mainstream

schools, as well as ensuring swift access to special schools for

children and young people with the most complex needs.

That's what's causing me

massive concern. That sounds to me that . Only children that are

deemed to have complex needs deemed by whom you know, and the rest is

the plan just to keep them in mainstream school because I very much

doubt that my son or even your son And many other children would be

deemed to have complex needs.

Neither can they access

[00:05:00 ] mainstream schools. So where

does that leave them? I will carry on and, and read the rest of the

letter. So the next bullet point and we are committed to is restoring

confidence in the system of support for children and young people

with send so that they all get the chance to achieve and thrive in

their education.

Any changes we make will

improve support for families, stop parents from having to fight for

support and protect effective support currently in place. Details of

the government's intended approach to strengthening the Send System

will be set out in a school's white paper in the autumn. As part of

developing our approach, we are working with parents and young people

organizations, which represent parents, local authorities, send

organizations and education settings across the country as well as

sector experts, we share the widespread view that improvements to the

send system are badly needed. The forthcoming consultation on the

white paper [00:06:00 ] will be key to

shaping the reforms of the send system so that every child and young

person so achieve and thrive, and we continue to break down barriers