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UK Overhauls SEND System to Prioritize Special Needs Support

2/22/2026

39 7 Full Breakdown

Summary

Story summary

The UK government plans to overhaul the SEND system to speed access to support for children before a white paper detailing changes.
Education Secretary Bridget Phillipson said the reforms will treat children with special needs as integral to schools.
The changes will raise the criteria for education, health, and care plans (EHCPs), reserving them for those with severe needs.
Some parents fear reviews of existing EHCPs during school transitions.

History

Historical Context

The UK's Special Educational Needs and Disability Act, enacted in 2001, aimed to enhance educational access for over 1.5 million children with disabilities by mandating school accommodations. This legislation followed a global trend towards inclusion, influenced by earlier U.S. laws like the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA) of 1975, which established the right to a free appropriate public education for disabled students.

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Story summary

The UK government plans to overhaul the SEND system to speed access to support for children before a white paper detailing changes.
Education Secretary Bridget Phillipson said the reforms will treat children with special needs as integral to schools.
The changes will raise the criteria for education, health, and care plans (EHCPs), reserving them for those with severe needs.
Some parents fear reviews of existing EHCPs during school transitions.

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