the Official Stance
"Support without a fight": The 2026 SEND Reform promises support will be available "from day one" without a lengthy battle.
"Experts at Hand": Government plans to place therapists and psychologists directly into mainstream schools.
"Individual Support Plans": A digital record to ensure evidence-based interventions are written into law.
the Lived Reality
The Reality: Families report that "Gatekeeping" remains the primary barrier to accessing even basic Targeted support.
The Reality: Current wait times for assessments in our network are leaving kids without support during critical windows.
The Reality: Parents find that without a full EHCP, these plans are often ignored or underfunded in practice.
important reports right now
SEND reform: putting children and young people first
This is the definitive current government plan. It outlines the promises of "support without a fight" and the new digital Individual Support Plans (ISPs).
The Schools White Paper 2026: Special Educational Needs and Disability (SEND) Reform
This UK Parliament research briefing summarises the "radical expansion" of rights and the shifting emphasis toward mainstream inclusion.
Local Government and Social Care Ombudsman: Annual Review of Complaints 2024/25
The Local Government and Social Care Ombudsman recently reported a record 91% uphold rate for investigations into Education and Children’s Services.