Under the plans, an estimated 270,000 fewer young people are expected to receive EHCPs by 2035. That represents a drop of more than 40 per cent compared with current projections. Ministers say the changes are designed to address a system they describe as overstretched, costly and no longer meeting the needs of children and families.
Education Secretary Bridget Phillipson said the existing framework, introduced around a decade ago, was originally intended for a smaller number of children but has since become overwhelmed.
She said many parents are forced to fight lengthy battles to secure formal entitlements, yet struggle to obtain timely support in practice. The new proposals, she argued, would shift the focus towards earlier and more consistent help within schools, so children receive assistance without lengthy disputes.
Under the reforms, EHCPs will be reserved for pupils with the most complex needs. At the same time, more children will be supported through newly introduced individual support plans, known as ISPs. These plans will include multiple tiers of assistance and will not require a medical diagnosis to access.
Ministers say the changes are intended to stabilise rising costs, which have placed significant pressure on local authority budgets. The number of EHCPs has increased sharply in recent years, contributing to growing financial deficits in councils across England.
The Government has committed an additional £4 billion to support the transition to the new system. Funding will include £1.6 billion over three years for mainstream schools, colleges and early years providers to enhance SEND support, as well as £1.8 billion to establish regional specialist services, including trained teachers and speech and language therapists.
Further investment includes £200 million for teacher training in SEND support and £3 billion to create approximately 50,000 additional school places, some within mainstream settings.
Officials have emphasised that children already in special school placements when the reforms begin will not lose their places. They also say there will be no immediate changes, with implementation scheduled to begin no earlier than September 2030, after the next general election.
Despite the assurances, the proposals have prompted debate within Parliament. Some Labour backbench MPs have expressed caution, saying they want to examine the details before offering full support. Concerns have also been raised about whether the new school-based support system will be sufficient for children whose EHCPs may no longer qualify under revised criteria.
The Children’s Commissioner has called for clear guarantees that no child will lose existing protections. Meanwhile, opposition parties have warned against any reduction in legally enforceable entitlements.
Teaching unions have also questioned whether the level of funding is adequate to deliver meaningful reform.
Ministers maintain that the current system is unsustainable and that change is necessary to ensure support is delivered more effectively. They argue the new model will prioritise earlier intervention, reduce bureaucratic delays and provide more consistent assistance directly within schools.
The Government says the reforms aim to move children from a system characterised by disputes and delays to one focused on accessible support, while still safeguarding the most complex cases through continued EHCP provision.
