Conservative MP Mims Daives knows parents have been left hugely anxious about what the Government's SEND reforms will mean for their children and their needs.
There is very little clarity about who qualifies for which tier/package, what support will be provided, what outcomes are expected, what funding will follow the child or, vitally, whether hard-fought support will be removed or reduced.
In 2014, the Children and Families Act introduced 3 major changes to the SEND provision:
- Extending the age range for support to 25 years
- Including anxiety and depression into its guidelines, emphasising the need to support children’s emotional well-being
- Introducing a new system for Education, Health and Care Plans for youngsters known as ECHPs
These changes have had a significant impact on demand for SEND services, leading to the numbers of pupils with ECHPs surging and a very significant rise in SEND spending by local authorities.
There has been, approximately, a 165% increase in the number of pupils with EHCPs since 2014 from 240,183 in 2015 to 575,963 in 2024. Just over 1.7 million pupils in England’s schools now receive SEND support – about 1 in 5 pupils – with about 5% of all pupils getting the highest level of support through an EHCP.
Most of this increase has been driven by a rise in autism spectrum disorder (ASD) diagnoses, listed as a primary need in a third of all EHCPs. The demand for ADHD needs and for social, emotional, and mental health needs has risen too. As well as for speech, language, and communication support for children.
Mims’ full statement can be found here: https://www.mimsdavies.org.uk/news/mims-davies-mp-statement-send-reform
Mims Davies MP said:
“I see and feel the anguish many parents go through trying to get the best for their children when I meet them in my surgeries and around the constituency.
It's right the Government is talking about much-needed reform, and I welcome a focus on earlier intervention, investment for more speech and language therapists and evidence-led packages.
It is unacceptable ministers have repeatedly failed to properly clarify whether any existing Education, Health and Care Plans (EHCPs) will be removed from children as part of these reforms. Parents deserve clear answers as to whether their children's rights will be protected going forward.
I will keep pushing the Government to ensure no child who currently has an EHCP has it withdrawn. It is also important the Government clarifies how a child will qualify for an EHCP and, alternatively, what will trigger an Individual Support Plan (ISP) and what the funding is for ISPs.
While I do welcome the Government's special educational needs and disabilities (SEND) reforms and its focus on early intervention, it is essential the long waiting times across the NHS for ADHD assessments are brought down.
I am keen to work with the Government to achieve this outcome, and I know my constituents will support this endeavour. Warm words aren’t enough."
