Special needs children could lose legal right to secondary school support

A reported Labour proposal would restrict automatic Education, Health and Care Plans (EHCPs) to pupils with severe needs and move decisions and much of the funding for other support to schools from the 2029 academic year.

Britain's Education Secretary, Bridget Phillipson, is reported to be preparing an overhaul of the special educational needs and disabilities (SEND) system. The proposed plan would reserve legally enforceable Education, Health and Care Plans (EHCPs) for children with severe needs. From the start of the 2029 academic year, pupils with less complex conditions would receive school-decided "individual support plans" and support funding would shift to schools. The Department for Education says the changes aim to curb the rapid growth in EHCP numbers. Key points: - The reported overhaul would limit automatic EHCP rights to pupils assessed as having severe needs. - Children with less complex needs, including many with autism or ADHD, would receive school-determined "individual support plans" instead of EHCPs. - From 2029, schools would take on responsibility for funding SEND provisions and a national expert panel would define eligibility for top-tier support. - Ministers are expected to introduce the proposals in the next parliamentary session, which is due to begin in May, with implementation planned for the 2029 academic year. Summary: If adopted, the reforms would change which pupils have legally enforceable rights to SEND support and shift funding responsibilities toward schools. The government says the move addresses rising EHCP numbers and the proposals are expected to be introduced in the next parliamentary session and implemented from the 2029 academic year.