I am aware of the current situation regarding EHCPs and am actively monitoring the developments with interest. Parents are deeply worried about what’s being reported. It’s not fair that they’re being subjected to a drip-feeding of information about their children’s future.

The Government needs to come forward to urgently clarify what their reform plans are, so that SEND families have the certainty they need to live their lives. And that Reform can’t see children’s rights rolled back. The current system isn’t working - we all agree on that.

Urgent action is needed to ensure that all children can access the tailored learning and support they need. Children with special educational needs and disabilities are being let down badly. Whilst experts agree that the 2014 reforms provide a good framework of support, local authorities are currently overwhelmed. The process to get an Education, Health and Care Plan (EHCP) is often lengthy and riddled with disputes. 

Liberal Democrat colleagues and I, are concerned that other proposals in the plan intended to standardise the support available under EHCPs, such as tailored lists of SEND settings in each council area, will detract from the principle that the support that a child receives under an EHCP should be personalised to their needs, not a one-size fits all approach in order to cut costs.

The Government must make applications as simple and straightforward as possible and bring down the financial barriers that stop SEND children being identified and supported as early as possible.  We have called on the Government to tackle the crisis in SEND funding by giving local authorities extra funding to reduce the amount that schools pay towards the cost of a child's EHC plan.