Are EHCP laws changing?

The government has published proposed SEND reforms and consulted on changes, but primary legislation has not yet been enacted. The current EHCP framework under the Children and Families Act 2014 still applies today. Proposed reforms may change how support is structured in future, subject to legislation and implementation plans.

Are EHCPs being scrapped?

No — not under current law. EHCPs remain the statutory route for children and young people whose needs require provision beyond what mainstream resources can normally provide. Proposed reforms suggest EHCPs may be linked to Specialist Provision Packages in future, but this is not yet in force and existing EHCPs are proposed to be protected during transition.

What is an Individual Support Plan?

An Individual Support Plan (ISP) is a proposed digital record in the government's SEND reform plans. It would set out a child or young person's day-to-day support in nursery, school or college. ISPs are not yet a legal requirement — they are part of proposed reforms subject to legislation. EHCPs remain the current statutory route for the most complex needs.

What is a Specialist Provision Package?

A Specialist Provision Package is a proposed nationally defined package of evidence-based support for children with the most complex needs. Under government proposals, future EHCPs may be based on these packages — but this is not yet law. The current EHCP assessment process under the Children and Families Act 2014 still applies today.

When would SEND white paper changes take effect?

The proposed reformed system is not expected to come into effect until September 2029 at the earliest, subject to legislation. Government proposals indicate no changes to support received through existing EHCPs before at least September 2030. Until then, the current EHCP framework under the Children and Families Act 2014 applies.

Should I wait for the new SEND system?

If your child is struggling and support is not enough, waiting for reform is unlikely to resolve the problem. The current EHCP process is still the route parents use today. Evidence, school records and professional reports take time to gather — and local authority decisions and appeals can add further months of delay.

Can EHCP Clarity help me apply?

EHCP Clarity helps parents organise information, check which route may apply, build evidence checklists, draft parent statements and chronologies, and prepare a structured pack for review. It does not provide legal advice, does not guarantee an assessment or EHCP outcome, and does not replace SENDIASS, IPSEA or a SEND solicitor.

Schools white paper

SEND white paper 2026: what proposed EHCP changes mean for parents

The government's Every Child Achieving and Thriving white paper sets out proposed reforms to SEND support in England. Nothing has changed in current EHCP law yet — but parents are right to want clarity on what is proposed and what to do if support is not enough today.

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Quick answer

The 2026 schools white paper proposes a reformed SEND system including Individual Support Plans and Specialist Provision Packages. These are proposals, not current law. The EHCP process under the Children and Families Act 2014 still applies today. If your child's needs are not being met, the practical question is how to act under the current system — not whether to wait for legislation.

What the white paper proposes

Published on 23 February 2026 alongside a government consultation on SEND reform, the white paper proposes a fundamental shift in how children with SEND are supported in England. The headline proposals include:

A tiered support model
Universal support for all pupils, targeted support for identified SEND, and specialist support for the most complex needs.
Individual Support Plans (ISPs)
Proposed digital records of day-to-day support for every child with identified SEND, developed with parents and reviewed regularly.
Specialist Provision Packages
Proposed nationally defined, evidence-based packages of support. Government proposals suggest future EHCPs may be based on these packages.
Retained and reformed EHCPs
EHCPs are proposed to remain for children with the most complex needs, but the route to obtaining one may change in future.
Increased mainstream inclusion
More specialist professionals embedded in mainstream settings, inclusion bases, and national inclusion standards.

Proposed timeline (not yet law)

According to government proposals and the House of Commons Library briefing, transition would be gradual and subject to legislation:

2026–2028: Investment in mainstream SEND support and preparation for reform
From September 2029 (proposed): First assessments under a reformed system at phase transitions
Before at least September 2030 (proposed): No changes to support received through existing EHCPs
By 2035 (proposed): EHCPs reserved for children needing Specialist Provision Packages

These dates are from government proposals and parliamentary analysis — they are not guaranteed and may change as legislation progresses.

What should parents do now?

Before the system changes, get clear on your child's current support, evidence and next step. If support is not enough:

Map what school is actually providing versus what your child needs
Start gathering school records, reports and your parent chronology
Decide whether to request an EHC needs assessment under the current process
Use EHCP Clarity to organise your pack before contacting the local authority

Frequently asked questions

Are EHCP laws changing?: The government has published proposed SEND reforms and consulted on changes, but primary legislation has not yet been enacted. The current EHCP framework under the Children and Families Act 2014 still applies today. Proposed reforms may change how support is structured in future, subject to legislation and implementation plans.
Are EHCPs being scrapped?: No — not under current law. EHCPs remain the statutory route for children and young people whose needs require provision beyond what mainstream resources can normally provide. Proposed reforms suggest EHCPs may be linked to Specialist Provision Packages in future, but this is not yet in force and existing EHCPs are proposed to be protected during transition.
What is an Individual Support Plan?: An Individual Support Plan (ISP) is a proposed digital record in the government's SEND reform plans. It would set out a child or young person's day-to-day support in nursery, school or college. ISPs are not yet a legal requirement — they are part of proposed reforms subject to legislation. EHCPs remain the current statutory route for the most complex needs.
What is a Specialist Provision Package?: A Specialist Provision Package is a proposed nationally defined package of evidence-based support for children with the most complex needs. Under government proposals, future EHCPs may be based on these packages — but this is not yet law. The current EHCP assessment process under the Children and Families Act 2014 still applies today.
When would SEND white paper changes take effect?: The proposed reformed system is not expected to come into effect until September 2029 at the earliest, subject to legislation. Government proposals indicate no changes to support received through existing EHCPs before at least September 2030. Until then, the current EHCP framework under the Children and Families Act 2014 applies.
Should I wait for the new SEND system?: If your child is struggling and support is not enough, waiting for reform is unlikely to resolve the problem. The current EHCP process is still the route parents use today. Evidence, school records and professional reports take time to gather — and local authority decisions and appeals can add further months of delay.
Can EHCP Clarity help me apply?: EHCP Clarity helps parents organise information, check which route may apply, build evidence checklists, draft parent statements and chronologies, and prepare a structured pack for review. It does not provide legal advice, does not guarantee an assessment or EHCP outcome, and does not replace SENDIASS, IPSEA or a SEND solicitor.

Sources and further reading

GOV.UK — SEND reform: putting children and young people first (consultation) — Official government consultation on proposed SEND reforms
GOV.UK — SEND reform consultation (HTML version) — Full consultation document including ISP and Specialist Provision Package proposals
DfE Education Hub — What parents need to know about changes to the SEND system — Parent-facing explainer from the Department for Education
House of Commons Library — Schools White Paper 2026: SEND Reform (CBP-10550) — Independent parliamentary briefing on proposed reforms and transition timelines
GOV.UK — Children with special educational needs (current EHCP process) — Current statutory route for requesting an EHC needs assessment
SEND Code of Practice 2015 — Department for Education statutory guidance — Current law and guidance that still applies today

Important: EHCP Clarity provides general information and document-organisation support. It is not a law firm, does not provide legal advice and does not guarantee an EHC needs assessment, EHCP, school placement or tribunal outcome. Parents should use official guidance and seek specialist legal advice where needed.

This is general information, not legal advice. EHCP Clarity helps parents organise and prepare their own materials. It does not provide legal advice, legal representation, or tribunal advocacy, and nothing on this page should be relied on as a substitute for advice about your specific situation. For free independent expert support, contact IPSEA, SOS!SEN, or your local SENDIASS. For legal representation, instruct a SEND solicitor.