Alert! - SEND Consultation closes on 18th May 2026

The SEND Consultation – Putting Children and Young People First ends its 12 week consultation period on Monday, 18th May 2026, at 23:59. Our SEND team encourages all stakeholders to respond. The proposed reforms are the central pillar of the proposals in the Schools White Paper – Every child achieving and thriving which will affect education and the SEND system in terms of structure, funding and delivery. 

This consultation is highly relevant across the public, independent and third sectors and specifically for local authorities, children’s health services commissioners and providers, all mainstream and special school provision, as well as social care provision. The White Paper incudes a broad set of proposals to reform the SEND framework with a programme of change that hasn’t been seen since the Children and Families Act 2014. 

Most of the changes, if accepted and taken forward would require legislative change. As things stand, all existing SEND rights and duties remain in force. 

In the King’s Speech outlining the government’s legislative agenda for the next 12 months, the SEND reforms are trailed as to be enacted through the ‘Education for all bill’. There has already been public law challenge brought against the Government in respect of the lawfulness of the Consultation. We anticipate that there will be further legal challenge and strong advocacy/lobbying once the Bill is presented. 

This is a time for all stakeholders including children that are able to, and their families, to respond to the proposals which as set out currently, are yet to all have detail so it is imperative that as many as possible respond to these wide ranging reform proposals. 

Children and young people with SEND are some of the most vulnerable and as such are subject to a number of legal frameworks which apply right across health, education, and social care domains.

We work proactively with all organisations and services that support children with SEND, and their families. If you would like to know more on how we can support your organisation managing SEND, please contact Callum Scott, Amrita Hurst, or Deborah Jeremiah.

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