Understand
Brighton parent raises concerns over proposed changes to SEND support rights
Overview
Parents and support groups in Brighton and Sussex have expressed concern over government plans to reform special educational needs and disabilities (SEND) support. The changes involve writing off council SEND debt in exchange for greater mainstream school inclusion and limiting legally binding education, health and care plans (EHCPs) to the most complex cases, replacing others with school-managed individual support plans (ISPs). While the government states that reforms will strengthen legal duties and maintain challenge routes, critics and parents fear the loss of legally binding protections and tribunals.
Key points
- Parents are concerned that proposed government reforms to SEND support will reduce their power to challenge decisions.
- The government is writing off over £200m of SEND debt for Sussex councils in exchange for increased mainstream school inclusion and limiting legally binding support plans.
- Some children currently on education, health and care plans (EHCPs) will transition to individual support plans (ISPs) managed by schools, which are not legally binding.
- Parents like Dee McMahon fear fewer children will have their needs met due to the lack of legally binding protections and difficulties with funding and staffing.
- Local councils welcomed the debt relief, but representatives warned that ongoing financial forecasts remain unsustainable without increased national funding.
- The government maintains that its reforms will strengthen legal duties on schools and ensure families retain routes to challenge support decisions.