Summary
The UK government plans to spend billions to make schools in England more supportive for students with special educational needs and disabilities (SEND). This includes funding for schools and more access to specialist teachers and therapists. The reform aims to reassess education plans, which may affect the support some children receive.
Key Facts
- The UK government will invest £1.6 billion in schools and educational settings over three years.
- An additional £1.8 billion will go towards specialist teachers and therapists during the same period.
- The reforms plan to reassess children's education, health, and care plans (EHCPs) at key educational milestones.
- EHCPs are legal documents detailing the support needs of children with SEND.
- Currently, over 480,000 children in England have EHCPs, out of 1.7 million pupils with SEND.
- New individual support plans (ISPs) with legal backing will be introduced for children with SEND.
- Educators and union leaders express concerns that the funding might be insufficient.
- Disability charities worry about the potential removal of support at critical stages for children.
