Ministers have failed to rule out cutting education, health and care plans for children and young people with special educational needs, with the government coming under increasing pressure over its plans for reform.
As Tes first revealed, the government is considering whether EHCPs are the “right vehicle” to provide support for pupils with special educational needs and disabilities (SEND).
In , campaigners have now warned that without the statutory support provided by EHCPs, it is “extremely unlikely that ministers will achieve their aim of more children with SEND thriving, or even surviving, in mainstream education”.
Today, during a round of media interviews, early education minister Stephen Morgan insisted that parents should have “absolutely” no fear that support for children with SEND will be scaled back.
But he could not guarantee that the current system of EHCPs, which are issued to give children specialist classroom support, will remain in place.
Could EHCPs be scrapped?
Mr Morgan told broadcaster LBC that the current system of support is “failing children, it’s failing parents”.
Asked whether concerned campaigners should have no fear that SEND support will be scaled back, Mr Morgan replied: “Absolutely. What we want to do is make sure we’ve got a better system in place as a result of the reform that we’re doing that improves outcomes for children with additional needs.”
But pressed on whether the reforms could include scrapping ECHPs, Mr Morgan said: “We’re looking at all things in the round.
“I’m not going to get into the mechanics today, but this is about strengthening support for system.”
On Sunday education secretary Bridget Phillipson would similarly not be drawn on whether EHCPs will be retained.
“What I can say very clearly is that we will strengthen and put in place better support for children,” she told the BBC.
Last week schools minister Catherine McKinnell told MPs that a decision on the future of EHCPs has not yet been made. However, she said the government was not looking to remove “effective” support.
The government plans to publish a White Paper in the autumn detailing how it will reform support for children with SEND.
In a letter to The Guardian, heads of charities; professors; parents of children with SEND, including actor Sally Phillips; and campaigners such as broadcaster Chris Packham warned against scrapping EHCPs as part of any overhaul of support.
“Whatever the SEND system’s problems, the answer is not to remove the rights of children and young people. Families cannot afford to lose these precious legal protections,” their letter states.
MPs have warned ministers that they have not been clear about their plans, and could face a rebellion akin to last week’s welfare bill revolt, according to The Guardian.
Speaking on ITV’s Good Morning Britain, Mr Morgan said that Labour MPs had “stood on a platform, a manifesto commitment, to reform the SEND system”.
In the interview, he would not be drawn on suggestions that the reforms were a cost-cutting measure being driven by the Treasury.
“Well, look at the figures. We’ve actually put more money into the SEND system, the £1 billion for high needs announced last year,” he said.
A calling for the retention of a legal right to assessment and support in education for children with SEND has attracted more than 100,000 signatures amid concerns that the DfE is planning to scrap EHCPs. The issue will now be debated in Parliament.
Paul Whiteman, general secretary of the NAHT school leaders’ union, said: “The broken special educational needs system isn’t working for anyone - children, parents, schools or local authorities.
“Something needs to change, and while it is right that the government is looking at fundamental reform, it will be crucial that ministers are able to demonstrate that any proposals strengthen, not weaken, support for pupils with additional needs.”
Munira Wilson, the Liberal Democrats’ education spokesperson, said: “The SEND system urgently needs fixing, but ministers must not use that as an excuse to balance the books on the backs of disabled children.
“The government is ignoring the concerns of special needs families and campaigners, and is in serious danger of sleepwalking into another crisis, just like they did with the welfare bill.”
The latest shows there are 482,640 pupils with EHCPs in schools in 2025, up from 434,354 last year.
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