Labour Unveils Major SEND Reforms in New Schools White Paper

Yesterday, the government released its long‑awaited Schools White Paper outlining sweeping reforms to the Special Educational Needs and Disabilities (SEND) system. The proposals introduce new statutory individual support plans for pupils who do not qualify for an Education, Health and Care Plan (EHCP), with two levels of provision: “targeted” and “targeted‑plus.” Targeted plans set out the support a school must provide, while targeted‑plus plans also include support from health professionals and may involve time in specialist support bases.

EHCPs will continue but will be reserved for pupils requiring specialist provision. The government plans to create around seven “specialist provision packages,” each with national price bands and oversight from an expert panel. No changes will affect existing EHCPs before 2030.

The reforms also include the introduction of national inclusion standards, new inclusion bases in secondary schools, and significant investment in early intervention. This includes £1.6 billion for an “Inclusive Mainstream Fund” and funding for an on‑demand “experts at hand” service, offering schools quick access to specialists such as speech and language therapists.

What the SEND Reforms Mean for Schools

The government’s White Paper signals a significant shift in how schools will identify and support pupils with SEND. Key implications include:

1. A stronger expectation of early intervention - Schools will need to identify needs earlier and put support in place without waiting for an EHCP. Individual Support Plans (ISPs) will become standard for all pupils with SEND, meaning schools must have robust systems for tracking needs and delivering evidence‑based interventions.

2. New tiers of support – Targeted, Targeted‑Plus and Specialist - Schools must prepare to offer:• Targeted small‑group interventions led by school staff• Enhanced Targeted‑Plus support through external specialists (speech and language therapy, EPs, occupational therapy)• Access to nationally defined Specialist Provision Packages for pupils with high needsThis requires workforce development, timetabling space for interventions, and strong relationships with local SEND professionals.

3. Increased inclusion expectations for mainstream schools - The White Paper is explicit: mainstream settings must become more inclusive. This means embedding adaptive teaching, ensuring the curriculum is accessible to all learners, and creating calm, supportive environments. The new Inclusive Mainstream Fund will help resource these adjustments, but schools will still need strategic planning.

4. Greater accountability and consistency - Because ISPs will have legal standing and EHCPs will be reserved for the most complex needs, schools will be expected to demonstrate that they have exhausted ordinarily available provision before escalating a case. Good documentation and clear provision mapping will be crucial.