Children with highest level of SEND support set to move to new plans by 2035

The Department for Education estimates about one in eight children who currently have the highest-level SEND support (an EHCP) will transition to new plans between 2030 and 2035, and formal assessments for the new system are due to begin in September 2029 with no change to current support before at least September 2030.

The Government has published wide-ranging reforms to the SEND system and the Department for Education estimates around one in eight children who currently have an education, health and care plan (EHCP) will move to new support plans between 2030 and 2035. Officials say the proportion of pupils with EHCPs is expected to rise until 2029/30 and then begin to fall. Assessments for the new arrangements are scheduled to start in September 2029, and the department has stated there will be no changes to existing support before at least September 2030. Key points: - The proposals create individual support plans (ISPs) with tiers of targeted support; children with the most complex needs will continue to have EHCPs. - The DfE estimates about one in eight current EHCP holders will move to new plans between 2030 and 2035 when needs are reviewed. - Formal assessments for the new system are due to begin in September 2029, and current arrangements will remain in place until at least September 2030. - Parents will still be able to appeal EHCP decisions to tribunals; challenges to ISPs are handled through school and local council complaints procedures. Summary: The reforms aim to replace some EHCPs with a graded ISP framework while retaining EHCPs for the most complex cases, and officials project a gradual reduction in the EHCP proportion after 2029/30. The Department for Education will run a consultation on the detailed proposals and begin assessments in September 2029, with further steps following the consultation and the statutory reassessment timetable.