Minister Pledges That Children Will Receive SEND Support ‘Much More Quickly’ Under New Reforms

The UK government has announced a series of new reforms aimed at speeding up Special Educational Needs and Disabilities (SEND) support, pledging that children will receive the assistance they need more promptly amid long-standing concerns about delays in the system. Education ministers said the reforms would tackle inefficiencies, improve accountability, and ensure children with additional needs are not left waiting for critical interventions.
Speaking at a parliamentary briefing, Education Secretary Claire Cartwright acknowledged that families had faced “unacceptable delays” in accessing support, particularly for assessments, individualized education plans (IEPs), and specialist services. “No child should be left behind because of bureaucracy,” Cartwright said. “Under these reforms, we aim to ensure that SEND support reaches children much more quickly, helping them to thrive in school and beyond.”
Background: The SEND System Under Strain
SEND provision in the UK has long been a source of controversy. According to recent reports from Ofsted and the Children’s Commissioner, thousands of children experience delays in getting educational assessments or placement in specialist provision, with some waiting months or even years for an Education, Health and Care Plan (EHCP) to be finalized. Families have complained of lengthy paperwork, inconsistent local authority procedures, and shortages of qualified staff to carry out assessments.
One parent, Sarah Whitman from Birmingham, described her experience: “My son needed speech therapy and extra classroom support. We were promised assessments within 20 weeks, but it took over a year. It was exhausting and emotionally draining.” Her story echoes hundreds of similar accounts from families across England.
The Proposed Reforms
Under the new government plans, key measures include:
Faster assessments – reducing the statutory 20-week period for EHCP completion in practice, with new accountability measures for local authorities.
Streamlined paperwork – cutting down duplicative reporting requirements to allow education, health, and social care professionals to focus on direct support for children.
Increased specialist staffing – funding for additional educational psychologists, speech and language therapists, and occupational therapists in schools and local authorities.
Centralised oversight – improved monitoring systems to track progress on SEND support provision, ensuring children do not fall through the cracks.
Education Secretary Cartwright emphasized that these reforms would be rolled out in phases, with pilot programs starting in selected local authorities from April 2026. Nationwide implementation is expected by spring 2027, with progress reports to Parliament every six months.
Response From Advocacy Groups
SEND advocacy groups welcomed the announcement but urged caution. Iain Douglas, director of the National SEND Alliance, said: “We are pleased to see government acknowledgment that delays are unacceptable, but promises must translate into real, tangible improvements on the ground. Staffing shortages, budget constraints, and inconsistent practices between local authorities remain major barriers.”
Some unions representing education and health professionals highlighted the need for adequate training and manageable caseloads to prevent burnout and ensure that support is delivered effectively.
Impact on Families
For families, the reforms are a potential lifeline. Early intervention in SEND can significantly improve academic outcomes, social integration, and long-term wellbeing for children with disabilities or additional needs. By reducing waiting times and simplifying processes, the government hopes to alleviate stress for parents and guardians, while enabling children to access tailored support sooner.
Parent advocacy groups, including Contact, have called for ongoing consultation with families throughout the reform process, stressing that policies must be flexible to meet the diverse needs of children across different regions.
Looking Ahead
While it remains to be seen whether the proposed reforms will fully resolve long-standing delays, the government’s pledge represents a renewed focus on improving SEND provision. With pilot programs set to launch in the coming months, families, educators, and advocacy groups will be watching closely to ensure that children across the UK finally receive the timely, personalised support they need to succeed.