Many parents are feeling it before they can fully explain it.
Meetings feel different. Language has shifted. Reassurances are vague. And yet families are being told: “Nothing is really changing.”
The truth is — the EHCP system is changing, and for SEND families, understanding how and where those changes show up is crucial.
This post explains what parents are noticing, why it feels unsettling, and how to protect your child’s support moving forward.
EHCPs Aren’t Being Removed — But They Are Being Reframed
One of the most confusing things parents are hearing is that EHCPs aren’t being scrapped. That’s true.
But what is changing is how they are:
- Written
- Reviewed
- Interpreted
- Delivered
Rather than removing EHCPs outright, support is increasingly being shaped through wording, flexibility, and local interpretation.
For families, this can feel like support slowly slipping without an obvious moment where it’s “taken away”.
Subtle Language Changes That Matter
Parents are reporting a rise in vague or non-specific wording, such as:
- “Access to support”
- “As required”
- “Opportunities for regulation”
- “When appropriate”
These phrases may sound harmless — but legally, they are unenforceable.
EHCP provision must be:
- Specific
- Quantified
- Clear
When language becomes flexible, accountability disappears.
Reviews Are Becoming the Pressure Point
Annual reviews are increasingly where changes are introduced.
Parents may be told:
- Support will be delivered “differently”
- Provision can be met “in-house”
- Targets have been “met” so support can reduce
This can happen even when a child is still struggling.
Reviews should assess whether provision is working, not whether it can be scaled back.
Why Parents Feel More Anxious
SEND parents aren’t imagining it.
The current climate includes:
- Budget pressures on local authorities
- SEND reforms focused on efficiency
- Rising thresholds for specialist support
This creates a system where families must be more informed and vigilant than ever — often while already exhausted.
What Has Not Changed (And Still Protects Your Child)
Despite system shifts, some things remain firm:
- An EHCP is a legal document
- Provision in Section F must be delivered
- Support cannot be reduced without evidence and process
- Parents have the right to challenge amendments
Knowing this matters.
What Parents Can Do Now
To protect your child’s EHCP:
- Read amendments slowly and carefully
- Question vague wording
- Ask for evidence if support is reduced
- Do not agree to changes you don’t understand
- Request everything in writing
You are not being difficult.
You are safeguarding your child’s education.
A Final Word
The EHCP system isn’t collapsing overnight.
But it is shifting — quietly, gradually, and often without clear explanation to families.
Clarity is power.
Parents who understand their rights are far harder to push aside.
At Ask Ellie, our role is to help families decode what’s happening, ask the right questions, and feel less alone navigating a system that feels increasingly uncertain.
If yesterday’s video resonated with you, trust that instinct. It’s telling you something important.
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