Schools white paper and SEND reform
The national consultation closed on 18th May 2026
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The schools white paper and the SEND reform consultation document were published at the end of February 2026, closing on 18th May.
What will the changes mean for my family?
We don’t know yet. Once the government publishes the finalised frameworks, we will be able to provide clear information about what the changes mean for Manchester families.
Please be assured that nothing changes for your child right now:
- No immediate changes will be made to existing support, EHCPs or school provision.
- Children’s needs will continue to be met through the current SEND Code of Practice.
Highlights of the proposals
- All schools will have to create an Individual Support Plan (ISP) for every child with SEND that clearly set out the help a child will receive.
- Extra funding will make services like speech and language therapy and small group teaching easier to access.
- The government will offer a wider legal entitlement beyond the ISP. This will see education, health and care (EHC) plans detail more intensive or complex support than schools can routinely provide.
Your questions answered
We shared your questions with the Department of Education (DfE). Here is their detailed response.
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THE CONSULTATION
The following information relates to the consultation.
We regularly shared information in the Local Offer newsletter and encouraged people to have a say. We shared engagement events run nationally and locally by various parties, including Manchester parent/carer groups.
Useful reading
Government:
- Schools White Paper – Every child achieving and thriving
- About the consultation, including alternative formats
There was also this series of documents setting out the key information and proposed reforms for parents/carers and professionals.
Council for Disabled Children (CDC):
- An article from CDC when the schools white paper was announced
- These CDC information webinars supported different audiences to understand what is most relevant to them in the SEND Reform.
Aimed at children and young people:
Educators were encouraged to use these resources to run their own sessions on the consultation.
Contact - for families with disabled children:
- A brief overview
- What the schools white paper says about:
Local response: