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.

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.

Reform anxiety

Will EHCPs be replaced under SEND reform?

EHCPs have not disappeared. The current system remains in place. Proposed reforms may change how support is organised in future, but parents still need to use the current process today.

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Quick answer

No — not under current law. EHCPs remain the statutory route for children whose needs require provision beyond mainstream resources. Government proposals suggest future EHCPs may be linked to Specialist Provision Packages, and Individual Support Plans may be introduced for wider SEND support — but this is proposed, not enacted.

Are EHCPs ending?

No. EHCPs are not ending now. The Children and Families Act 2014 still provides the legal framework for EHC needs assessments and EHCPs. Government proposals describe EHCPs as being "retained and improved" for children with the most complex needs.

Proposed reforms may change who qualifies for an EHCP in future and how they are structured — but that requires legislation and a phased transition. See the SEND white paper guide.

What are Individual Support Plans?

Individual Support Plans (ISPs) are a proposed digital record in SEND reform plans. They would set out a child's barriers to learning and the day-to-day support provided in nursery, school or college — developed with parents and updated as needs change.

ISPs are not yet a legal requirement. They are part of proposed reforms subject to legislation. Every child with an EHCP would also have an ISP under the proposals, setting out practical day-to-day support. Compare ISP vs EHCP.

What are Specialist Provision Packages?

Specialist Provision Packages are proposed nationally defined, evidence-based packages of support for children with the most complex needs. Government proposals suggest:

An independent expert panel would develop and review the packages
Each package would cover curriculum adaptations, therapies, resources and standards
In future, only children needing a full Specialist Provision Package may be entitled to an EHCP

This is proposed policy — not current law. The existing EHCP assessment process still applies.

What does this mean for existing EHCPs?

If your child already has an EHCP, it remains a legally binding document under current law. Government proposals indicate no changes to support received through existing EHCPs before at least September 2030, with transition planned at natural phase changes (e.g. primary to secondary). Any change to an existing EHCP would still require the statutory annual review process and carry appeal rights.

What does this mean if you have not applied yet?

You can still request an EHC needs assessment today under section 36 of the Children and Families Act 2014. The local authority must respond within six weeks. Reform proposals do not remove this right under current law.

If support is not enough now, start organising your evidence rather than waiting for a future system that is not yet in place. Read should I apply before SEND reform?

Why parents should get organised now

Reform may change the system later. Your child's needs need a plan now. Before the system changes, get clear on your child's current support, evidence and next step. The current EHCP process is still the route available today — and it takes months.

Frequently asked questions

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.
Will my child lose their EHCP?: Under current law, an EHCP remains in force until lawfully amended or ceased through the statutory review process. Government proposals (not yet enacted) indicate no changes to support received through existing EHCPs before at least September 2030, with transition planned at natural phase changes. Nothing in current law removes an EHCP without a formal process and appeal rights.
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.
What does this mean for existing EHCPs?: Under current law, existing EHCPs remain in force until lawfully amended or ceased. Government proposals (not yet enacted) suggest no changes to support received through existing EHCPs before at least September 2030, with transition at natural phase changes. Your child's EHCP rights today are unchanged.
What does this mean if you have not applied yet?: You can still request an EHC needs assessment under the current Children and Families Act 2014 process. Proposed reforms may change the future route to an EHCP, but there is no fixed deadline to apply under current law. If support is not enough, organise evidence and use the current process.
Can I still request an EHC needs assessment?: Yes. Any parent, carer, young person aged 16 or over, school or professional can request an EHC needs assessment under section 36 of the Children and Families Act 2014. The local authority must respond within six weeks. Proposed SEND reforms do not remove this right under current law.
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.

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.