16th June 2026 • My Family Our Needs

A new independent report states that SEND reforms can improve children’s outcomes but the existing system remains ‘vulnerable’.

The report, named Reform: putting children and young people first – the view from local government on impact and implementation, was commissioned by the Local Government Association (LGA) and County Councils Network (CCN). It discusses the results of a survey of 54 councils across the UK.

According to the report, 8 in 10 councils believe Government SEND reforms would lead to better outcomes for children and young people but less than half (43%) felt that they would lead to a more financially sustainable system.

The report also warns that the existing SEND system remains ‘particularly vulnerable’ due to a ‘surging demand’ for assessments during the long gap between publication of the reforms and enactment of the legislation in 2029.

The report suggests that a number of councils have already reported a ‘very significant surge’ in demand for EHCP assessments as parents seek to secure an EHCP assessment before they are replaced. In some cases, assessment requests were a third higher than they were in previous months.

Whilst this is not yet a widespread issue, the report warns that there is a ‘very real risk’ that by the time new legislation comes into effect, the number of children and young people with EHCPs may have outgrown the Government’s current growth projections over the next three years.

The councils surveyed say it is a vital for the Government to step in to support them where level of need rise beyond what is projected and commit to absorbing any increased costs.

Local authorities are also calling on Government to provide more clarity over the future arrangements for SEND beyond 2028 as soon as possible.

The Government has said that it would absorb the SEND funding from that year, it has yet to offer details on if they will cover for future overspends or rises in demand.  

They key responses of the 54 councils that were surveyed are:

• 94% said the reforms would lead to a greater focus on early intervention.
• 81% said the reforms would lead to better outcomes for children and young people with SEND.
• 80% of local authorities responded positively or somewhat positively to each of the major aspects of the reform plan.
• 76% agreed that they would lead to a fairer and more consistent approach to providing support.
• 87% were confident that they have the capacity to deliver reforms but less than half were confident their local partners would have the capacity to do so.

Councils argue that it is vital for Government to work with them closely to deliver reforms, with all partners clearly accountable.

Whilst, according to survey responses, local authorities believe the proposals are coherent and right, they say that they will only work if enacted together. Councils argue that ministers must resist the temptation to ‘cherry pick’ the simpler changes whilst avoiding those that may be more difficult.

Commenting on the reforms, Cllr Amanda Hopgood, Chair of the LGA’s Children and Young People and Families Committee, said, ‘We are pleased Government acted on the calls of councils and set out comprehensive and ambitious reforms to improve the educational outcomes of children and young people with SEND.

‘However, as this report highlights, while the reforms have been largely well-received, there remain significant and very live challenges within the existing SEND system.

‘Building the foundations for a new model that meets children’s needs, while working within a broken system that continues to fail them risks undermining the delivery of the reforms.

‘It is vital government works closely with councils, not just to deliver the reforms but to tackle the present challenges in the system.’

Cllr Bill Revans, SEND spokesperson for the CCN, said, ‘This survey is an important stock-take on what councils think about the government’s important SEND reforms. The clear consensus is that they could lead to better outcomes and experiences for young people, even if the immediate future remains very challenging, as this report highlights.

‘However, councils are clear that the changes only work as a whole. Ministers must resist the temptation to cherry pick the simpler changes and avoid the more difficult ones, otherwise we run the risk of simply repeating a system that is not working for young people, councils and schools alike.

‘Whilst a commitment to fund SEND costs after 2028 is welcome, the announcement still remains light on detail. Put simply, councils should never be placed in the situation whereby they accrue eye-watering deficits due to national policy changes again.

‘In recognition that this is a ten-year change programme, government must set out how it intends to absorb any deficits accrued after 2028 and extreme rises in demand.’

In other news, findings from the Royal College of Occupational Therapists (RCOT) reveals delays accessing SEND support in school is harming children.