Overview
- Letters from the Department for Education and NHS England instructed councils and health leaders in December to begin local SEND reform plans ahead of the forthcoming Schools White Paper.
- Areas have been told to submit more frequent data on key improvement indicators, with advisers to visit councils to agree priority metrics and baseline performance.
- Officials issued a local partnership maturity assessment tool covering seven pillars, pointing to a three-tier model of universal, targeted and specialist support.
- A Sense survey finds nearly half of parents fear vital help could be removed under the changes, as unions warn mainstream schools lack sufficient funding, training and specialist expertise.
- Local Government Association research reports 79% of councils will struggle to set balanced budgets when SEND deficit protections end in 2028, with ministers promising reforms and stating there will always be a legal right to additional support.