UK (Parliament Politics Magazine) – Labour MP Helen Hayes urged the party to keep EHCPs in the SEND system, citing fear and distrust among parents of children with special educational needs.
As reported by The Guardian, education committee chair Helen Hayes called on the government to retain EHCPs to rebuild trust with SEND families.
What did Helen Hayes say about keeping EHCPs in the SEND system?
Helen Hayes said widespread mistrust among SEND families makes it essential for ministers to confirm that EHCPs will remain in place.
During an interview with the BBC, she said,
“I think at this stage that would be the right thing to do. We have been looking, as the education select committee, at the SEND system for the last several months. We have heard extensive evidence from parents, from organisations that represent parents, from professionals and from others who are deeply involved in the system, which is failing so many children and families at the moment.”
Ms Hayes stated,
“One of the consequences of that failure is that parents really have so little trust and confidence in the SEND system at the moment. And the government should take that very seriously as it charts a way forward for reform. It must be undertaking reform and setting out new proposals in a way that helps to build the trust and confidence of parents and which doesn’t make parents feel even more fearful than they do already about their children’s future.”
She said,
“At the moment, we have a system where all of the accountability is loaded on to the statutory part of the process, the EHCP system, and I think it is understandable that many parents would feel very, very fearful when the government won’t confirm absolutely that EHCPs and all of the accountabilities that surround them will remain in place.”
Referring to the broader issue, Ms Hayes reiterated that the education select committee had found the SEND system to be broken, adding that ministers must now consider how to improve it.
She added,
“But I think they have to take this issue of the lack of trust and confidence, the fear that parents have, and the impact that it has on the daily lives of families. This is an everyday lived reality if you are battling a system that is failing your child, and the EHCPs provide statutory certainty for some parents. It isn’t a perfect system … but it does provide important statutory protection and accountability.”
What did the letter to the Guardian reveal about concerns over EHCP reforms?
A joint letter to The Guardian from leading SEND and disability groups raised alarm over potential government plans to restrict or eliminate EHCPs.
Over 600,000 children rely on Education, Health and Care Plans to receive the personalised support they need in school and daily life.
A letter published in The Guardian shows public concern over EHCP reforms, despite assurances from Education Secretary Bridget Phillipson that a final decision is pending.
The groups wrote in a letter,
“For more than 40 years, children and young people with special educational needs and disabilities have had a statutory right to an education that meets their needs. Set alongside catastrophic plans to cut benefits for disabled people, this raises the question of who we are as a country and the kind of society in which we want to live.”
They added,
“Whatever the Send system’s problems, the answer is not to remove the rights of children and young people. Families cannot afford to lose these precious legal protections.”
What did Stephen Morgan say about the future of EHCPs in the white paper?
Junior education minister Stephen Morgan supported Bridget Phillipson’s stance, saying he could not yet comment on whether the white paper would propose changes to or the removal of EHCPs.
He acknowledged the need for reform, stating,
“We inherited a SEND system that was broken. The previous government described it as ‘lose, lose, lose,’ and I want to ensure children receive the right support wherever they need it across the country.”
What did Bridget Phillipson say about improving support for children with SEND?
Bridget Phillipson said,
“What I can say very clearly is that we will strengthen and put in place better support for children.”
She added,
“I’ve been spending a lot of time listening to parents, to disability rights groups, to campaigners and others and colleagues across Parliament as well, because it’s important to get this right.”
What did the Department for Education say about fixing the SEND system?
A Department for Education spokesperson said,
“The evidence is clear that this government inherited a SEND system left on its knees – which is why we are looking at changes to improve support for children and stop parents having to fight for help. We have been clear that there are no plans to abolish SEND tribunals, or to remove funding or support from children, families and schools.”
They added,
“This government is actively working with parents and experts on the solutions, including more early intervention to prevent needs from escalating and £740 million to encourage councils to create more specialist places in mainstream schools. As part of our plan for change, we will restore the confidence of families up and down the country and deliver the improvement they are crying out for so every child can achieve and thrive.”
Key details about EHCPs
- EHCPs: Legal support plans for ages 0–25 with SEN/disabilities.
- Request: Parents, 16+ youth, or professionals can apply.
- Timeline: Takes up to 20 weeks.
- Review: Annually.
- Includes:
- Needs
- Support
- School/College