England announces SEND reforms aiming to reduce EHCP numbers by 2035

In Brief

Education Secretary Bridget Phillipson proposes SEND system changes reducing EHCPs and shifting responsibilities.

Key Facts

• Education Secretary Bridget Phillipson announced proposed reforms to the SEND system in England on Monday
• The proposals include reducing the number of children receiving Education, Health and Care Plans (EHCPs) by around 270,000 by 2035, according to The Independent
• Phillipson described the current SEND system as designed 10 years ago for fewer children and stated it is now broken
• The reforms aim to reduce reliance on local councils and increase responsibilities for schools, according to The Guardian
• The changes are expected to affect the provision of top-tier support plans for children with special educational needs, according to The Independent

What Happened

On Monday, Education Secretary Bridget Phillipson presented proposed reforms to England's special educational needs and disabilities (SEND) system. The proposals include plans to reduce the number of children eligible for Education, Health and Care Plans (EHCPs) by approximately 270,000 by 2035 and to shift greater responsibility for SEND provision from local councils to schools, according to multiple reports.

Why It Matters

The proposed reforms respond to concerns that the current SEND system, designed a decade ago for fewer children, is no longer adequate, according to Phillipson. By reducing reliance on financially constrained local councils and increasing school involvement, the changes could alter how support is provided to children with special educational needs, potentially impacting access to top-tier support plans. Numbers and impacts are based on government proposals and media reports; final outcomes depend on policy implementation and further details.