You may have heard about national changes being proposed through the Schools White Paper and SEND reform. We know this can feel worrying, especially when information is still developing. This article explains what we know so far, what is not changing yet, and what will happen next locally.
Key reassurance for Stockport families– nothing is changing right now.
- There are no immediate changes to existing support, EHCPs or school provision.
- Children and young people will continue to be supported under the current SEND Code of Practice.
- Schools, services and Stockport Council must continue to follow current SEND law until at least 2029.
- Any future changes will be introduced gradually, with families involved.
- Children and young people will continue to be supported throughout.
What is being proposed nationally?
The government has set out some early proposals, including:
- All schools creating an Individual Support Plan (ISP) for every child with SEND, setting out the help they receive day to day.
- Additional funding to make support such as speech and language therapy and small group teaching easier to access.
- A wider legal entitlement beyond ISPs.
- Education, Health and Care Plans (EHCPs) focusing on children and young people who need more intensive or complex support than schools can usually provide.
These are proposals only and are still being consulted on.
How can families have their say?
The SEND consultation is open until 18 May 2026. To support families, Stockport Council and Parents and Carers Together Stockport are hosting information sessions at Stockroom on 22 April and at Independent Options in Heaton Chapel on 6 May. At the sessions we will:
- Talk through the Government’s proposals in clear, accessible language
- Explain how to respond to the consultation
- Support parents and carers to share direct feedback
- Use your views to help shape our early plans for Stockport’s Local SEND Reform Plan, including how the reforms could be implemented locally, and to inform Stockport’s formal response to the government.
Book your free place:
Useful information and further reading
Government information:
- Schools White Paper – Every child achieving and thriving
- About the consultation, including alternative formats
- Direct link to the consultation
- Direct link to the consultation - Easy Read
- There is also this series of documents setting out the key information and proposed reforms for parents/carers and professionals.
Information from charities:
- Independent Provider of Special Education Advice (IPSEA) recorded webinar: Schools White Paper – SEND reform proposals, the implications and next steps
- Council for Disabled Children (CDC): an information webinar supports different audiences to understand what is most relevant to them and this summary of the parts of the white paper that they think most young people will be interested to know about.
- Contact - for families with disabled children: articles on Independent Support Plans (ISPs) and education health and care (EHC) plans, proposals to reduce the role of the tribunal, and what the white paper says about health support.
Questions families have asked
What will the changes mean for my family?
At this stage, we do not yet know exactly what the final changes will look like. Once the national consultation has ended and the government publishes its final plans, we will be able to share clear, local information about what this means for Stockport families. We will make sure families are kept informed and involved as plans develop.
Will my child lose their EHCP?
No. No child in Stockport with a current EHCP will lose it because of these changes. Children who are in special school places in September 2029 will be able to stay in that setting until they finish their education, if that is right for them. Any move away from an EHCP would not happen until at least 2030, and only once a new support plan is already in place and agreed with families.
Will my child be reassessed when they move to secondary school?
No. Children moving to secondary school in September 2028 will stay under the current EHCP system. Reassessments under any new system would not begin until 2029/30, and only at the next phase transfer (for example, from secondary to post 16).
When will the new SEND Code of Practice be published?
There is no confirmed date yet. Families will have opportunities to feed in before anything is finalised. The steps will be:
- Government publishes its response to the SEND consultation
- New legislation is introduced
- A full public consultation on the updated SEND Code of Practice
- Final SEND Code of Practice is published
What if a school or setting seems to be changing things early?
Schools and settings in Stockport must continue to follow current SEND law until it changes nationally. If you are worried that changes are being introduced too soon, you can speak to:
- Your child’s school SENCO or Headteacher
- Stockport Council’s SEND team
- SENDIASS Stockport, for free, independent advice and support
- Ofsted, if concerns relate to inclusion or practice
What changes might Stockport introduce before 2029?
Before 2029, only non legal changes can be introduced. In Stockport, this may include:
- Investment in inclusive mainstream support
- More access to specialist advice for schools
- Training and development for staff
- Better consistency in how needs are identified and supported
- Testing digital support plans (these would not be legal documents yet)
Stockport cannot introduce new EHCP rules, thresholds or legal duties before national law changes.
Will support be the same everywhere?
The government plans for specialist support packages to be nationally consistent, so families are not affected by where they live. This is intended to reduce differences between areas over time.
Who is responsible for support plans in schools?
Schools and colleges will continue to be responsible for identifying needs and planning support for children and young people. Stockport Council’s role is to:
- Plan and commission SEND places
- Fund specialist provision
- Work with schools, health and partners to improve SEND support locally
Quality and consistency will continue to be checked through inspection processes.
Will SENDIASS still be funded?
Yes. Funding for SENDIASS services is increasing nationally to strengthen support for families. In Stockport, SENDIASS will continue to provide free, confidential and independent advice to parents, carers and young people.
What about SEND transport?
The reforms aim to help more children be supported closer to home, which should reduce the need for long journeys over time.
Thank you to everyone who took part in the recent Stockport consultation on SEND home to school transport. Following this, changes to the Post 16 SEND Transport Policy will come into effect from September 2026. This means young people moving into Years 12, 13 or 14 will need to reapply for travel assistance for the 2026/27 academic year. Current arrangements remain the same until then, giving families time to understand the changes and plan ahead.
Applications for SEND home to school transport continue as usual via SEND apply for travel support. Families will need to provide details about their young person’s needs, education placement and any supporting evidence. Applications will be reviewed by the SEND Transport Team in line with the updated policy from September 2026. Please note that any applications that arrive after the 30th June 2026 will still be processed but we cannot guarantee any agreed support will be in place for the start of the academic year.
We also offer Independent travel training to help young people with additional needs, build the skills and confidence to travel safely and independently, including planning routes, road safety, and using public transport. Personal travel budgets are monthly payments that help families arrange home to school or college travel in a way that suits their circumstances, supporting young people to attend every day and arrive on time.
What about post 16 support and preparing for adulthood?
Preparing for adulthood is already part of SEND law and remains important. Planning for transition should start early, with clear support in place for education, training, employment and adult life. EHCPs will continue to be maintained for as long as a young person needs them and remains in education or training.