24/02/2026
Thought for the Day: What’s the actual Plan?
Yesterday, I noted there was no need for immediate panic, and after reviewing the full White Paper and consultation documents, I still believe that's the case. On paper, these proposals are bold and could potentially bring some much-needed structure to a system that often feels chaotic and overwhelmed. That said, they must be properly piloted and tested before full rollout—this process will inevitably take years.
However, several serious concerns stand out and demand closer scrutiny:
1. Legal rights are being significantly diluted. There's no denying it—the ability to challenge an EHC Plan is being curtailed, potentially rendering Tribunal appeals largely ineffective. If these changes go through, I expect appeal numbers to drop sharply.
2. Provision under EHC Plans appears tied to predefined 'Specialist Provision Packages'. We lack details on what these packages entail, who designs them, or what evidence underpins them. Crucially, they won't be tailored to the individual child and it does not look like you can appeal the specific contents of the packages.
3. Eligibility for an EHC Needs Assessment is being rewritten with a much higher bar. The new threshold sounds extremely stringent. All current EHC Plans will enter a transition period and eventually be reassessed against this tougher standard—likely leading to a large-scale withdrawal of plans over time.
4. Local Authorities' role will shrink dramatically. They'll shift toward a commissioner-like function, potentially managing only a few hundred EHC Plans instead of thousands—a huge reduction in scope.
5. The government is placing enormous reliance on schools to deliver. Larger academy trusts or school partnerships might cope, but individual schools are likely to struggle. They lack the budget, staffing, or capacity to effectively take on what has traditionally been LA-level responsibilities. Creating statutory-equivalent Individual Support Plans (which already exist informally) will be a major challenge. The committed funding streams are a drop in the ocean to what is being spent currently.
6. People will soon miss the LAs. Yes, local authorities can be criticised—often fairly—but they provide a clear, accountable point of contact and a known route for challenge. Can schools offer the same level of transparency and recourse? I'm doubtful. Without major curriculum reform, expecting educational settings to handle around 90% of the SEN system is a tall order.
7. Independent and special schools face severe pressure. The apparent government stance—"accept our funding levels or we won't place children with you"—could hit these providers hard.
In summary, while the reforms include some promising ideas, they largely boil down to a top-down directive: "This is the support we'll offer—take it or leave it." With limited rights to challenge, this could have an adverse impact on a generation of children and young people.
