Political opinion: Horsham MP says SEND reform must be backed with proper resources
Liberal Democrat MP for Horsham, John Milne, has responded to the government's Schools White Paper, warning that reforms must be backed by proper funding, a credible workforce plan, and a genuine commitment to protecting families' legal rights.
The White Paper sets out proposed changes to special educational needs and disability (SEND) provision, including a new requirement for all schools to create an Individual Support Plan (ISP) for every child with SEND. Their will be more focus on early intervention and an expectation that more children will be supported in their local mainstream school setting.
The government has promised that no child will lose effective support currently in place, and that children with Education, Health and Care Plans (EHCPs) won't transition to an ISP until at least 2030.
Responding to the announcements, Liberal Democrat MP for Horsham, John Milne, said: “Since becoming an MP, I have spoken to many parents and teachers in Horsham about their exhausting experiences fighting for the most basic level of support. The current system is adversarial, demoralising, and too often fails the very children it is meant to help. I'm pleased the government is taking this on – the last one just let the crisis build.
“However, many parents will be very worried about a possible loss of access to EHCPs. An ECHP guarantees specialised support – whereas an ISP just describes a need. Anyone who has battled through the system to get an ECHP for their child will know how much it means. It’s crucial that there is sufficient funding and support for schools to fill the gap, and at the moment, that is far from clear.
“The SEND system needs a complete overhaul, not a simple rebrand. Any proposals must be properly implemented and supported with the right resources. This reform is too important to get wrong. I will continue to listen to local families and push for a system that truly works for every child.”