National SEND reforms 2026-2029
In autumn 2026 we'll begin a transformation of our services for children and young people with SEND, in line with national reforms. We know you'll be wondering what this means for you and your child. At this stage, nothing is changing. However, when changes are confirmed, we'll share updates, explain how any changes will impact you and give you the chance to ask questions. We'll work with you and support you through these changes to ensure that your child’s needs are met.
What's the timeline for the changes?
February 2026 - the government published its schools white paper, 'Every child achieving and thriving', outlining reforms and inviting feedback
June 2026 - Shropshire Council submitted a plan for how it will deliver the SEND reforms outlined by the government
September 2026 - we'll learn whether the government has approved our plans
October 2026 - with that approval, we'll start to plan delivery of these changes. It may be that the government has some questions about our plans or wants some changes made, in which case we'll work with them to finalise the plans
September 2029-30 - transition to the new system, once the new inclusive mainstream system has been fully built. Transitions will then only happen as children naturally move between phases, like primary to secondary. No-one will move midway through a phase of education.
What will change with the SEND reforms?
The changes currently being made to children’s services aim to improve the experience of families. They'll do this by focussing on prevention and providing help early, and on helping staff from different services work better together.
For SEND, the changes will:
- Help children and young people with SEND thrive in mainstream education settings where possible
- Provide appropriate specialist support where needed
- Help local services work better together so they deliver more better services and help for families
This will include:
- Earlier identification of where help is needed
- A focus on inclusive mainstream education
- Clearer expectations for families and settings
- Stronger working between education, health and care services
- Using data, dashboards and quality assurance to improve transparency, consistency and value for money
- Agreement of a shared local SEND standard
- Better service for families from first contact onwards
- Improving the quality and timeliness of education, health and care plans (EHCPs)
Delivering these changes will rely on partners working together: government, local authorities, health partners, early years, schools and colleges. They'll work together with parents and carers to build the inclusive system Shropshire’s children and young people deserve, and which will help them thrive.
What won’t change?
- Every child with a special school place in 2029 will keep it if they want it until they finish education
- Children with EHCPs in mainstream schools won't move to individual support plans (ISPs) until at least 2030. This will only happen when moving between school stages (for example, primary to secondary)
- Transition for children with an EHCP in mainstream settings who will be best supported in the future via an ISP, rather than an EHCP, will only begin from 2030 once the new inclusive mainstream system has been fully built. This will only happen as children naturally move between phases, like from primary to secondary
I have a question that’s not answered here, who do I contact?
If you have a question about the reforms that's not answered here, send it to us and we'll answer it. You can email Local.Offer@Shropshire.gov.uk
You can also find more detailed information on the following websites: