Department for Education publishes White Paper setting out proposals for SEND reform
On 23 February 2026, the Department for Education (DfE) published “Every Child Achieving and Thriving”, its much-anticipated policy paper outlining the Government’s plans for educational reform. The paper sets out DfE’s proposals for children and young people with Special Educational Needs and Disabilities (SEND). It has been published alongside a consultation on SEND Reform: Putting Children and Young People First.
Proposals
The reforms are intended to equip schools to enable more children with SEND to be educated in mainstream settings, integrate SEND provision within the mainstream, and strengthen the ability of every educational setting to meet the varying needs of children and young people.
Proposals include:
- Increasing the accessibility of buildings.
- Increasing inclusion bases in mainstream settings.
- Securing specialist provision and multi-agency support within mainstream settings.
The paper also emphasises the importance of early support, adapted as pupils progress through school, and of partnerships within the community, including health, care and family services, to identify needs as soon as they emerge.
The paper outlines new obligations for schools, such as the creation of Individual Support Plans (ISPs) for any child with identified SEND. It proposes that tiered layers of support are provided, which are tailored to the pupil’s level of need. Education, Health and Care Plans (EHCPs) will be retained for children with the most complex needs.
It is anticipated that the SEND Code of Practice (Code) will be updated to clarify the responsibilities of education settings and partners. The updated Code will include additional requirements for all schools to ensure staff receive training on SEND and inclusion. The role of special educational needs co-ordinators (SENCOs) may also become more strategic.
Further updates
We will keep you updated on key changes and issues arising from the paper. If you have any questions on the proposed changes for the education sector and how they will affect your school or trust, please contact Joanne Davison by email at [email protected] or by telephone on 0191 211 7958.