SEND Reform 2026: What Parents Need to Know About EHCPs, SEN Support and Individual Support Plans

The SEND system in England is facing major proposed changes. In February 2026, the government published the Schools White Paper, Every Child Achieving and Thriving, alongside a separate SEND reform consultation called SEND reform: putting children and young people first. The White Paper sets out the government’s wider vision for schools and SEND reform, while the SEND consultation focuses more specifically on proposed changes to support for children and young people with special educational needs and disabilities.

For many parents and carers, this has created understandable questions:

• Will EHCPs still exist?

• What is an Individual Support Plan?

• Will SEN Support change?

• What should families do while the reforms are still being discussed?

The SEND reform consultation closed on 18 May 2026, and the government is now considering responses. This means the proposals are important, but they are not yet final law. The current SEND system remains in place until any new legislation or statutory guidance is introduced. The consultation document says assessments for the new system are expected to start in September 2029, with no changes to support received through EHCPs before at least September 2030.

Why is SEND reform being proposed?

More children and young people are being identified with special educational needs. In England, more than 1.7 million pupils now have SEN. Of these, 5.3% of pupils have an Education, Health and Care Plan, while 14.2% receive SEN Support without an EHCP.

At the same time, many families experience long waits and uncertainty when trying to access support. In 2024, only 46.4% of new EHC plans were issued within the statutory 20-week timeframe, excluding exceptions.

The aim of the proposed reforms is to make SEND support earlier, clearer and more consistent, so that children do not have to reach crisis point before receiving help.

What is an Individual Support Plan?

One of the biggest proposed changes is the introduction of Individual Support Plans, also known as ISPs.

An Individual Support Plan would be a digital record of a child’s needs, the support they receive, and how that support will be delivered. The government has said these plans should be developed with parents, carers and teachers, and reviewed as a child’s needs change.

For parents, this could make SEND support easier to understand. Instead of support being recorded differently from school to school, an Individual Support Plan could create a more consistent way of showing:

• what a child needs

• what support is being provided

• who is responsible for that support

• what adjustments are needed

• how progress will be reviewed

This could be especially helpful during transition points, such as moving from primary to secondary school, changing provision, or returning to learning after a period of absence.

Will Individual Support Plans replace EHCPs?

This is one of the biggest concerns for families.

Based on current government information, EHCPs are not being removed at this stage. The Department for Education has said that children who need more support than is routinely available in mainstream schools will still receive EHCPs. It has also said that every child with an EHCP would also have an Individual Support Plan, setting out the practical day-to-day support provided by the nursery, school or college.

In simple terms:

An EHCP is a legal document. An Individual Support Plan would describe the daily support around the child.

This distinction is important. Parents should not assume that an ISP automatically replaces an EHCP. Until any new law or guidance is introduced, the current SEND system remains in place.

What could happen to SEN Support?

SEN Support is the help given to pupils who have special educational needs but do not have an EHCP. Currently, a child may receive SEN Support when they need help that is additional to or different from what is normally available in school.

The proposed Individual Support Plans could make SEN Support more visible and structured. For parents, this may be positive because it could become clearer what help their child is receiving, whether that support is working, and when it should be reviewed.

However, the key issue will be implementation. A plan only helps if it leads to real support, regular review and clear accountability.

What should parents do now?

Although the reforms are important, parents should not wait for the system to change before asking for help. If your child is struggling, early action still matters.

Parents can:

• ask the school what support is currently in place

• request written targets and review dates

• keep copies of reports, emails, attendance records and professional advice

• ask whether SEN Support is being reviewed regularly

• seek guidance if their child’s needs are not being met

• consider whether a different learning environment may be more suitable

If your child is experiencing anxiety, emotionally based school avoidance, sensory overwhelm, ADHD-related difficulties, autism-related needs, dyslexia, trauma-related barriers or medical needs, early planning can help prevent difficulties from escalating.

Why this matters for online learning

For some children with SEND, a traditional school environment can feel overwhelming. Noise, busy classrooms, social pressure, sensory demands and anxiety around attendance can all make learning harder.

A flexible online school environment can support some learners by offering smaller classes, reduced sensory pressure, more predictable routines, access to recorded lessons, personalised support and closer communication with families.

At Eton Academy, we support students who may experience challenges in traditional school environments due to anxiety, autism, ADHD, dyslexia, sensory sensitivities, trauma-related experiences, EBSA or CAMHS involvement. Our SEND provision includes small class sizes, individualised education planning, lesson recordings, regular observations and SENCO support.

This type of structured online support can help some students rebuild confidence, access learning more comfortably and continue progressing in a way that respects their individual needs.

SEND Reform 2026 could bring significant changes to how children and young people with SEND are supported in England. The proposed introduction of Individual Support Plans may help make support clearer and more consistent, while EHCPs are expected to remain in place for children who need more specialist support.

For now, parents should remember one important point:

Your child should not have to wait for the system to change before receiving support.

If your child is finding school difficult, struggling to attend, or not receiving the right level of support, it is worth seeking advice early.

At Eton Academy, we work with families to understand each child’s needs and explore whether online learning could provide a calmer, more flexible and supportive educational pathway.

To discuss your child’s needs, book a SEND consultation with Eton Academy today. No diagnosis or EHCP is required to start the conversation.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is SEND Reform 2026 now law?

No. The SEND reform consultation closed on 18 May 2026, and the government is reviewing responses. The proposals are not yet final law.

What is an Individual Support Plan?

An Individual Support Plan is a proposed digital plan that would record a child’s SEND needs, daily support and how that support will be delivered.

Will EHCPs be removed?

Based on current government information, EHCPs are not being removed at this stage. Children who need more support than is routinely available in mainstream schools are expected to continue receiving EHCPs.

What is the difference between SEN Support and an EHCP?

SEN Support is school-based help for children with special educational needs. An EHCP is a legal document for children and young people who need more support than is normally available through SEN Support.

Can online schools support children with SEND?

Yes, for some children, online school can offer a calmer, more flexible and personalised learning environment, especially for pupils with anxiety, autism, ADHD, dyslexia, sensory needs, EBSA or medical needs.