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What are the SEND reforms/White Paper and how can I share my views?

What are the 'SEND reforms' and the 'White Paper'? 
The 'white paper' is a Government White Paper: Education Reforms 2026, which outlines what the Government would like to do to improve the Special Educational Needs and Disabilities (SEND) system in England, through a 10-year plan.
It was published by the Government on the 29th March 2026 and is said to be the biggest transformation of SEND in over a decade. 

Their information sheet for those leading or working in mainstream schools gives a quick overview of their main proposals, including:

  • A new three-tier model of support above the universal offer – targeted, targeted plus, and specialist.
  • New Individual Support Plans for all children with SEND.
  • The retention and improvement of EHCPs for children with the most complex needs.
  • A share of the £1.6 billion Inclusive Mainstream Fund over three years.
  • A share of £3.7 billion of capital investment from this year to 2030 to create Inclusion Bases in mainstream settings.

Although some elements of the transformation will begin this year, the changes to the law are not expected to be in place until 2029.

Why are the Government doing this? 
The government believe that the current SEND system is becoming operationally and financially unsustainable and therefore, is in need of changes.
They want to be Putting Children and Young People First as part of the Schools White Paper, Every Child Achieving and Thriving. (You can read more information on the reforms by clicking the links underlined.)  
You can find out more about the changes they are proposing, as well as have your say, below. 
Have your say: DfE's SEND consultation (open until 18 May)

👉 The DfE wants to hear the views of anyone with an interest in SEND, especially those working in schools and other educational settings, on its proposed reforms through its formal consultation.

Families and young people are also welcome to share their views by clicking the link - proposed reforms through their formal consultation

The DfE has produced a range of accessible materials, including information briefings, an Easy Read summary and a British Sign Language video of the proposals. These are available below:

  1. SEND Reform: putting children and young people first (Easy Read) (PDF document)
  2. SEND Reform: putting children and young people first (web-accessible version) (PDF document)
  3. SEND Reform: putting children and young people first (print-ready version) (PDF document)
  4. SEND Reform: putting children and young people first (large print) (PDF document)
  5. SEND Reform: putting children and young people first (CYP version) (PDF document)
  6. SEND Reform: putting children and young people first (BSL version)
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Last updated: 30/03/2026