Keir Mather MP - Statement on SEND Reforms

STATEMENT ON SEND REFORMS - Wednesday 25th February 2026

Each family has a different story to tell - but everyone who has navigated the SEND system in recent years knows that it is broken.

This week, the government published its proposals to reform this broken system. I wanted to say something about the reforms because SEND has been a top priority for me as MP and I know how much it matters to many families in Selby and Kippax.

I’m aware that for lots of local families the idea of change will cause anxiety. Families have been forced to fight hard for protections for their children and trust in the system - and in politicians - is low. I’ve always been clear about my belief that no parent should have to fight for a suitable education for their child. I think that the proposals set out represent a key opportunity to really improve the support mainstream schools can provide for children with SEND, and to rebuild families’ confidence in the system.

From the offset I’d like to be clear that the government isn’t scrapping EHCPs and that no child will be asked to leave a special school. It’s also important to note that all existing plans and protections will remain in place until September 2030.

The proposed reforms to Education, Health and Care Plans (EHCPs) aim to address the failings of the current system by introducing two types of plans: Individual Support Plans (ISPs) for children with SEND needs in mainstream settings, and improved EHCPs for those with the most complex needs. These plans will involve collaboration with parents and be digitized for better accessibility. The new system will roll out for children transitioning at key educational stages starting from September 2029.

Within the consultation document, the Department for Education has stated that it recognises that for some pupils separate specialist provision will always be necessary. That is why £3.7 billion has been committed to create over 60,000 new specialist places.

Evidence shows that local provision is best for children - that’s why we fought so hard for the Selby SEND school. The new proposals commit billions to making SEND suitable school places available closer to home, including investment in what’s called Targeted Mainstream Provision - providing ‘Inclusion Bases’ in every single mainstream secondary school where smaller group work can be carried out and additional support can be provided.

The government will launch an 'Expert on Hand' initiative, which will create a network of specialists available to schools. £200 million will support staff training in SEND needs and funding reforms will provide more upfront funding to schools for interventions, so that support isn’t limited to pupils with plans.

The SEND reform proposals will be in consultation for the next 12 weeks. You can contribute directly to the consultation (link here: https://consult.education.gov.uk/send-strategy-division/send-reform-putting-children-and-young-people-firs/). I want to know what local families think of the proposals and will continue to do all I can to make sure that children and young people in Selby and Kippax are considered when these reforms are being considered and implemented.

I know that local families will be keen to know as soon as possible what the proposals will mean for their individual circumstances. As your MP, I won’t be in a position to say which support package your family can expect to receive. What I am able to do is make sure that your voice is heard and feedback any concerns or thoughts directly to the Schools Minister. If you’d like to discuss this with me in further detail, please do get in touch.