Education · 24 February 2026
£4 billion schools plan gives SEND children new legal rights
Education Secretary Bridget Phillipson published the government's Schools White Paper on 23 February, alongside a £4 billion investment to reform support for children with special educational needs and disabilities in England. Over one million children with additional needs currently have no legally enforceable rights. New individual support plans will become a legal requirement for all SEND pupils in mainstream schools. A further £1.8 billion will fund an on-demand specialist service for schools. Some parent groups raised concerns the reforms could reduce existing protections.
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