In this blog, you will learn:
Key changes being made to EHCPs in the Schools White Paper.
The UK government's plans for the future of EHCPs and SEND, as outlined in the Schools White Paper.
How to find and apply for the best local authority SEND jobs.
According to the Department for Education, 638,745 EHCPs were active in January 2025, a 10.8% increase from January 2024.
The number of EHCPs has continued to rise each year since their introduction in 2014, leading the government to propose major SEND reforms through the Schools White Paper.
Although no changes to EHCP support are expected before September 2030, the Schools White Paper outlines significant proposed changes to how young people with SEND are supported in education.
In this blog, we explore the key proposed changes to SEND support and EHCPs.
From digital EHCPs and Individual Support Plans (ISPs) to greater responsibility in mainstream settings, discover what changes to EHCPs could mean for children, families and education professionals.
What are the key changes being made to EHCPs?
Key changes being made to EHCPs:
The introduction of Specialist Provision Packages.
EHCPs will be reviewed, not removed.
EHCPs will be reserved for children with the most complex needs.
Digital EHCP processes.
More responsibility and support in mainstream schools.
The introduction of Specialist Provision Packages
By 2035, the UK government plans to reform and rebalance the SEND system, shifting from the widespread use of Education, Health and Care Plans (EHCPs) to mandatory Individual Support Plans.
Individual Support Plans (ISPs) are designed to replace older SEND support models with an evidence-based, needs-led approach to education and care across England.
The government’s plan is for ISPs to form the basis for future EHCPs and become the main, standardised support plan for many children with SEND.
EHCPs will continue to set out the legal support that children and young people are entitled to receive.
Many children who currently have an EHCP could instead get an Individual Support Plan, which will set out the practical, day-to-day provision delivered in nurseries, schools and colleges.
Nationally established Specialist Provision Packages for children with the most complex needs will shape provision and determine EHCP eligibility across both mainstream and specialist settings.
Specialist Provision Packages will underpin EHCPs, providing a legal entitlement to the support set out in each package.
These packages will be independently created, evaluated, and regularly reviewed by an independent expert panel.
EHCPs will be reviewed, not removed
One of the biggest concerns arising from the publication of the Schools White Paper is that EHCPs will be replaced and removed completely.
However, EHCPs are not being removed and children already in special schools are expected to keep their placements and protections. Current EHCPs are expected to remain in place for several years, with changes unlikely before 2029/2030.
Children with an EHCP in the early years will retain it until they complete the primary phase, when it will be reviewed.
For example, pupils who are now in year 2 will undergo reassessments when they reach year 6, whereas children in year 3 and above will retain their existing EHCP until at least age 16.
The government plans to reassess current EHCPs starting in September 2029 and expects that, between 2030 and 2035, 1 in 8 pupils will move from an EHCP to an ISP.
Councils will assess whether a pupil’s needs meet the criteria for specialist provision and an EHCP. If they don’t, the school will develop an ISP instead.
This ensures that pupils transitioning from an EHCP won’t lose statutory support.
EHCPs will be reserved for children with the most complex needs
One of the most significant proposed reforms is the government's plan to reduce long-term reliance on EHCPs.
Under the new Schools White Paper, EHCPs would increasingly be reserved for children and young people with the most complex needs by 2035.
The government says the aim is to ensure children receive evidence-based support earlier, without families needing to go through a lengthy statutory assessment process to access help.
The goal is to reduce dependence on EHCPs, ensure children receive evidence-based support early and begin to restore families’ confidence in the SEND system.
The government expects there will continue to be a gradual rise in the number of EHCPs until around 2029.
As the new SEND framework becomes embedded, the government expects EHCP numbers to reduce back towards current levels by 2035.
This would be achieved through investment in a redesigned SEND system and increased funding to help mainstream nurseries, schools and colleges meet children’s needs earlier and more effectively.
According to the Schools White Paper, “As reforms become embedded, we expect the number of children and young people needing a Specialist Provision Package and an EHCP to access support, will return to around today’s level by 2035, with many more children having their needs met through an ISP in mainstream.”
Digital EHCP processes
According to the Schools White Paper, the government will introduce a digital EHCP process to simplify the process and increase transparency.
EHCPs will be undergoing a nationwide standardisation process, including digital EHCP templates, frameworks and ISPs.
The government hopes that digitisation processes will improve access to specialist support, reduce routine administration and be easier to update.
These processes are expected to be introduced alongside the rollout of new specialist support packages.
More responsibility and support in mainstream schools
Due to the increasing number of children with SEND and the lack of specialist places, the government wants more children with SEND to be supported in mainstream schools.
The Schools White Paper has proposed a new layered approach to SEND support.
Schools will be expected to provide more SEND support without parents needing to fight for an EHCP or children needing specialist placement.
The government wants fewer children to need EHCPs and for educators to provide more support directly through schools instead.
All schools and other educational settings will be required to create legally binding digital Individual Support Plans for any child or young person with identified SEND.
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