Will Send finally be sent in the right direction ?

lgcplus.com · Feb 23, 2026 · Collected from GDELT

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After years of mounting pressure, the government has finally set out its vision for reshaping Send. Chief reporter Caitlin Webb looks at whether responsibility for the system is truly moving in the right direction. The schools white paper represents the most significant overhaul of the special educational needs and disabilities system in a decade and at first glance appears broadly positive for local authorities, but optimism is tempered by uncertainty over whether the plans will match the scale of the crisis. Today the government set out its clear intentions: to move away from a system in which families feel compelled to secure an education, health and care plan (EHCP) to guarantee support, and instead build capacity in mainstream schools so that more needs are met earlier and locally. In many respects, the proposals echo the case local government has been making for some time: that rising EHCP numbers, growing use of private placements and an increasingly adversarial tribunal system have created a model that is neither financially sustainable nor consistently effective for children. County Councils Network Send spokesperson Bill Revans (Lib Dem) said: “Whilst the devil will be in the detail, the proposals represent a potential radical overhaul of the system whereby mainstream schools are resourced to support more pupils with Send needs.” He added that these reforms “should help ensure that more young people are supported in their local school” and these measures should “address the escalating costs of private placements”. Yet Cllr Revans did not offer unqualified praise, cautioning that while the proposed timescales for the reforms are “reasonable,” “it remains to be seen whether the level of investment announced today is sufficient.” For years, local authorities have borne the brunt of responsibility for a Send system that is complex, financially volatile, and operationally demanding. Councils are accountable for EHCPs, specialist placements, and transport, even where day-to-day delivery depends heavily on schools and health partners. In that context, the white paper signals a notable redistribution of responsibility. Greater emphasis on mainstream schools delivering individual support plans, alongside a stronger role for integrated care boards in coordinating provision, which suggests a move away from a model in which councils sit at the centre of both accountability and financial risk. Yet councils will not be off the hook once these reforms come into force. Following the speech unveiling the plans, education secretary Bridget Phillipson assured journalists that the government “will hold councils to account for delivering what’s needed”. Despite bolstering health partner’s involvement in Send through ICBs, it comes with a warning that where councils fail to meet new standards the Department for Education will use its intervention powers. Even though the Ofsted and CQC joint area inspections are set to be reviewed to meet the different power dynamics, they will still judge local authorities’ performance. Councils will also be given the power to establish their own school trusts and co-ordinate Send provision with groups of local schools. But with a “pivotal role” in “safeguarding, supporting and promoting the welfare of all children in their area”, it will be no mean feat. Local authorities will also face restrictions on their involvement in the day-to-day running of any trusts they set up, according to the white paper. Taken together, these changes signal a careful balancing act. This rebalancing could relieve some financial and legal pressure, yet it also heightens the stakes: councils must ensure that partners deliver effectively, that inclusion is genuine, and that the system remains coherent across education, health and care. The government has framed these Send reforms as a decade-long programme. But 10 years is a long time in politics: a future government could change course or even abandon the plans, leaving the sector to manage a partially implemented system under continued uncertainty. The practical effects of the reforms will also take time to materialise, as many young people will be able to retain their EHCPs until 2030, potentially beyond the next general election. While these reforms chart a new path for Send, it will still be up to councils to steer carefully ensuring the system truly moves in the right direction. Image credit: Shutterstock/Pixel-Shot