Published: 17 June 2026
For years, parents of children with Special Educational Needs and Disabilities (SEND) have been saying the same thing:
The system is broken.
Families have spoken about long waits for support, battles for EHCPs, schools struggling to meet needs, rising exclusions, increasing numbers of children unable to attend school, and the emotional toll this takes on entire families.
Until now, many parents have felt ignored.
But something significant happened on 17 June 2026.
The Government formally responded to Parliament’s report on the SEND crisis and, for the first time, has effectively acknowledged what families have been saying for years:
The SEND system is not working.
Why This Matters
This isn’t simply another consultation or political announcement.
This is the Government’s official response to the Education Select Committee’s inquiry into SEND.
The report recognises that the current system is failing:
- Children
- Parents
- Schools
- Local Authorities
That alone is a major moment.
For years, families have had to fight to convince decision-makers that the problems they face are real. The debate is no longer about whether there is a crisis.
The Government has now acknowledged that there is one.
What Is The Government Proposing?
The response sets out a number of major reforms designed to improve support for children and young people with SEND.
1. National Inclusion Standards
One of the biggest proposals is the introduction of National Inclusion Standards.
The aim is to create a clearer expectation of what support should be available in every school, regardless of where a child lives.
Parents often tell us that support depends heavily on postcode and individual schools. The Government says these standards will help create more consistency across the country.
2. More Support In Mainstream Schools
The Government wants mainstream schools to become more inclusive and better equipped to support children with additional needs.
This includes:
- Better staff training
- Earlier intervention
- Greater access to specialist advice
- More resources for schools
The goal is to provide support before families reach crisis point.
3. Earlier Access To Specialists
The Government has announced plans for what it calls “Experts at Hand.”
This aims to give schools easier access to professionals such as:
- Educational Psychologists
- Speech and Language Therapists
- SEND specialists
- Mental health professionals
Many families currently wait months or even years for assessments and specialist input. The proposal aims to make support available much earlier.
4. Increased Investment
The Government has also announced significant funding commitments, including billions of pounds for SEND reforms, inclusion support and specialist provision.
While funding announcements are always welcome, families will understandably want to see how this translates into real support on the ground.
What About EHCPs?
Many parents have understandably asked whether EHCPs are being removed.
Based on the Government’s response, there is currently no indication that EHCPs will disappear.
Instead, the focus appears to be on improving support available before children require an EHCP and making mainstream settings more inclusive.
Children with the most complex needs are still expected to require specialist provision and statutory protection.
What Does This Mean For Families Right Now?
The honest answer is:
Not much will change overnight.
This response is an acknowledgement of the problem and a statement of intent.
Families will still face many of the same challenges tomorrow that they faced yesterday.
However, something important has changed.
The Government has now publicly accepted that the system is failing too many children and families.
That gives campaigners, parents and organisations a much stronger foundation from which to push for meaningful change.
Families Will Be Watching Closely
Parents have heard promises before.
Many families have spent years fighting for support that should never have required a battle in the first place.
The real test will not be the announcements.
The real test will be whether:
- Children receive support earlier.
- Schools become more inclusive.
- Waiting times improve.
- Families experience fewer battles.
- Outcomes improve for children and young people.
What’s Next?
At AskEllie, we will be analysing these proposals in more detail over the coming weeks and sharing what they could mean for families.
Importantly, Rebecca and I will also be returning to Parliament on Monday 29 June for further discussions around the future of SEND support and reform.
There are some important conversations taking place behind the scenes, and we hope to be able to share more with you very soon.
For now, one thing is clear:
The SEND crisis is no longer something families are saying exists.
The Government has now formally acknowledged it too.
Stay tuned.
Click below for the full report
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