There is a lot of anxiety right now among SEND families.
Parents are hearing that 1:1 support is being reduced. SNAs are being “reallocated.” Teaching assistant hours are being cut. And many families are left wondering:
Can a school just remove my child’s SNA?
Short answer: No.
But the longer answer matters.
What Actually Matters: Section F of the EHCP
If your child has an Education, Health and Care Plan (EHCP), the key section to look at is Section F.
Section F outlines the special educational provision your child must receive.
If 1:1 support, SNA support, or specified TA hours are written into Section F, that provision is:
- Legally binding
- Not optional
- Not dependent on staffing
- Not dependent on budget
Under Section 42 of the Children and Families Act 2014, the Local Authority has a legal duty to secure the provision specified in Section F.
That means the support must be delivered.
What Schools Cannot Do
A school cannot simply decide:
- “We think your child doesn’t need it anymore.”
- “They’re coping better now.”
- “We don’t have the staff.”
- “It’s a SEN school, so 1:1 isn’t necessary.”
Even if well-intentioned, they cannot unilaterally remove support that is specified in Section F.
If support is being reduced without a formal process, that is not compliant with the law.
If They Believe Support Is No Longer Needed
There is a legal process for changing provision — but it must be followed properly.
If the school believes support should be reduced, the Local Authority must:
- Hold a formal Annual Review (or emergency review if needed).
- Propose amendments to the EHCP.
- Issue a draft amended EHCP.
- Give parents the opportunity to respond.
- Issue a final amended EHCP.
Only once a final amended EHCP is issued can provision lawfully change.
Until then, the original Section F provision must remain in place.
What You Can Do If Support Has Been Removed
If you believe your child’s support has been reduced without the correct process:
- Check Section F carefully.
- Put your concerns in writing to the Local Authority.
- Reference their duty under Section 42.
- Request immediate reinstatement of provision.
Keep it calm. Keep it factual. Keep it written.
This is not about being confrontational.
It is about ensuring your child receives the support that has already been assessed as necessary.
This Isn’t About “Extra Help”
For many autistic children, and particularly those with PDA traits, 1:1 support is not a luxury.
It is what makes school:
- Safe
- Accessible
- Regulated
- Possible
Removing support without careful review can lead to:
- Increased anxiety
- Shutdowns or meltdowns
- School refusal
- Regression
- Emotional harm
Support is not about dependency. It is about access.
Final Thoughts
There is a lot of noise right now around SEND reform and funding pressures.
But the law has not changed.
If support is written in Section F, it must be delivered.
If it is to be changed, there is a formal legal process.
Knowing this gives you something powerful: clarity.
And clarity reduces fear.
If you are in this situation and unsure what to do next, take a breath, get the paperwork, and respond calmly and in writing.
That is how you protect your child’s provision.
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