Schools White Paper and SEND reform

The Department for Education has published their schools white paper, Every Child Achieving and Thriving, and consultation on SEND reform, Putting Children and Young People First.

The purpose of these changes is to improve the lives of all children and young people through restructure of the education system to create a more inclusive, consistent, and sustainable environment. There are 5 reform principles:

Early - Children and families should receive the support they need as soon as possible, with a quick response to changing needs. 
Local - Children and young people with SEND should be able to learn at an education setting close to their home, alongside their peers, rather than travelling long distances from their family and community.
Fair - Every education setting should be resourced and able to meet common and predictable needs, including as they change over time, without parents having to fight to get support for their children.
Effective - Reforms should be grounded in evidence, ensuring all education settings know where to go to find effective practice that has excellent long-term outcomes for children and young people
Shared - Education, health, care and other services should work in partnership with one another.

To gain the views from a range of people on these changes a consultation will be open until 18 May 2026 – follow the link to complete this survey.

We understand that this announcement may cause uncertainty and worry amongst parents and carers. Local Authority officers are currently reviewing and assessing the impact of new SEND proposals for services and the local area. Officers are planning several information sessions with further details to follow, which we hope will provide reassurance and support to families across the city.

Below you will find a range of information on these changes in different formats including easy read and British sign language.