Don't Cut the Lifeline: The Battle for Education Rights of Children with Special Needs

Ministers in the UK are facing intense pressure from campaigners to maintain vital Education, Health and Care Plans (EHCPs) for children with special educational needs and disabilities (Send). These plans are considered ”precious legal protections” that ensure children receive necessary support, and there are fears that their potential abolition could lead to thousands being deprived of their right to education.

During a recent interview on the BBC’s Sunday with Laura Kuenssberg, Education Secretary Bridget Phillipson described the situation as a ”complex and sensitive area”, indicating that the government has yet to achieve clarity on future decisions regarding EHCPs. Critics, like Neil O’Brien, the shadow education minister, have pointed out the government’s ”broken promises and U-turns”, emphasizing their lack of credibility in maintaining support for vulnerable groups.

An EHCP is a legally binding document that guarantees educational resources and support from local authorities. Campaigners warn that without these plans in mainstream schools, many children could face denial of essential educational provision. Over a hundred prominent signatories, including notable figures like actor Sally Phillips and broadcaster Chris Packham, have expressed their concerns in a letter to the Guardian, arguing that the solution to the current issues in the Send system should not involve eroding children’s rights.

Phillipson assured the public that the government is committed to improving support for children with Send but acknowledged the need for extensive consultation with parents, disability rights groups, and other stakeholders. Opposition voices point out the government’s track record, highlighting past failures to deliver on educational promises, including hiring more teachers while seeing numbers shrink.

With Department for Education statistics showing an increase in the number of EHCPs—638,745 plans in place as of January 2025 and a significant rise in assessment requests—the upcoming October announcement on the future of Send reforms is highly anticipated but fraught with uncertainty. Education committee chair Helen Hayes stressed that reforms must aim to rebuild trust among parents disillusioned by the existing system. The government has reassured families that there are currently no plans to reduce funding or support for children, families, or schools, aiming to quell the growing concerns around potential cuts.