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Introduction

On 23 February 2026, the Government published its SEND Reform White Paper, Every Child Achieving and Thriving alongside a consultation document on proposals to reform the SEND system.

Martha Glynn (Senior Paralegal) and Benjamin Deery (Paralegal) of SV Law explore some of the most potentially impactful proposals below, together with some useful insights derived from working within an arguably analogous policy framework in the current Welsh system. 

Summary of the Proposals

A fundamental principle underpinning the proposed reforms is the Government’s aim that the majority of children with SEND will have their needs met within a mainstream school setting. Four tiers of SEND support are envisioned: Universal, Targeted, Targeted Plus, and Specialist. The White Paper stipulates that ‘commonly occurring needs’ should be met in a mainstream setting with the universal level of provision. Children receiving Targeted or Targeted Plus support will have what has been titled the Individual Support Plan…

Welcome to our group LA SEN Network Group! A space for us to connect and share with each other. Start by posting your thoughts, sharing media, or creating a poll.

Good morning

I have recently received a query from my client department as to what should be included in Section I when a child is being electively home educated. I note from the SEND COP and the EHE guidance that where parents decide to educate at home, the Local Authority should detail the type of school that would be suitable but state that the parents have made their own arrangements under Section 7 of the Education Act 1996. I note also that the EHE guidance refers to detailing the arrangement in a 'suitable place' but it doesn't elaborate further on that.

I note from various case law, that Section I should only detail the type of setting or the name of the school in accordance with the SEND Regs (or be left blank for EOTAS). As such, I was wondering where other LAs are detailing the statement about parents making…

Hi there,

I have had some push back regarding the below statement as we do not agree with placing an advocate for meetings into section F, and wanted to seek the views of others please, the development of self-advocacy is already being provided.

Any advice would be appreciated please:

Provide XX with an advocate to support them to prepare for meetings and to work with XX in helping them manage appointments and meetings to develop their self-advocacy skills  

Where a child attends a school and the school or LA think they need a professional assessment to be able to meet a child's special educational needs, do they also require the consent of the child's parents or can they just inform the parent the assessment is occurring to enable the school / LA to understand and provide for the child's needs and comply with their statutory duties. 

Dear Colleagues, I'm hoping you can help me with a issue that has come up in one of our appeals. A YP refused to give consent for an EP assessment, which we considered necessary for deciding on a residential placement. We made a request for an order to make the YP available for assessment. The tribunal refused the request on the basis it does not have the power under Rule 15(4) of the SEND Tribunal Rules and Procedures to compel a YP to make themselves available for assessment. It appears Rule 15(4) only applies to children. We want to challenge this decision and wondered if anyone knows of any law that would help us to do so. We very much look forward to your responses.

Good afternoon all

Where does a Local Authority stand when it has a pupil that requires specialist provision but there are no places available within any specialist settings? I understand that the Local Authority can name the type of school in Section I, but without naming a specific school what happens to the duty to admit and how can a school be bound by it? Can a pupil remain in a mainstream setting in the meantime if specialist provision is named as the type of school in the plan? This is becoming an increasing problem for our Local Authority and we are unsure as to where this leaves us in terms of Tribunals if we do not have the specialist places available.

Any thoughts/guidance would be much appreciated.

Thank you

Amy

Hi Colleagues, looking for some guidance here. I am often asked to share the tribunal decisions with others outside the LA, especially NHS colleagues who have attended the hearing as witnesses. I have always been under the impression that because the proceedings are private so are the decisions and should not be shared unless absolutely necessary. Is that right or can we share the decisions with anyone who wants to see them? Or, is it not as simple as that?