The Future of SEND Support in England: What the New Funding Changes Mean for Families
Across England, the system supporting children and young people with Special Educational Needs and Disabilities (SEND) is undergoing significant reform. Rising demand for support, increasing numbers of Education, Health and Care Plans (EHCPs), and mounting pressure on local authority budgets have led the government to introduce major funding changes and structural reforms.
For many families, the SEND system can feel confusing and overwhelming. In this blog, we explore what the latest SEND funding changes mean, and why access to early support and specialist services remains more important than ever.
Why the SEND System Is Changing
Over the past decade, the number of children identified with SEND has risen significantly. At the same time, local authorities across England have struggled to meet the financial demands of providing specialist support.
Recent reports show that SEND spending has increased dramatically, with many councils now facing substantial deficits due to the cost of education, transport, and specialist placements. In fact, some estimates suggest that SEND deficits could reach £14 billion by 2028 if reforms are not implemented.
This growing pressure has prompted the government to introduce a major reform programme aimed at improving early support while controlling long-term costs.
New SEND Funding and Investment
The government has committed significant new funding to address pressures within the system.
Key announcements include:
An additional £1 billion in SEND funding in 2026–27, rising to around £1.5 billion annually by 2028–29.
A wider investment expected to increase SEND spending by £7 billion compared with 2025–26 levels.
£3.7 billion allocated to create around 60,000 specialist places in schools and colleges.
Investment in adapting mainstream schools with specialist spaces and support services.
The aim is to ensure that more children receive support earlier within mainstream settings, reducing the need for costly specialist placements later.
Greater Support Within Mainstream Schools
One of the central ideas behind the reforms is strengthening the support available within local schools.
Plans include:
Creating specialist “inclusion bases” within mainstream schools
Increasing access to specialist professionals such as speech and language therapists, occupational therapists, and educational psychologists
Introducing services that allow schools to consult with experts more easily when supporting children with additional needs.
These changes are intended to help children receive support closer to home, without always needing to move into specialist school placements.
Possible Changes to EHCPs
While Education, Health and Care Plans (EHCPs) remain a key part of the system, reforms may gradually shift the focus toward earlier intervention and targeted support within schools.
Future proposals include:
More structured pathways for accessing support
Greater standardisation of support packages
Additional responsibilities placed on schools to deliver support directly
The long-term aim is to ensure that children receive the right support at the right time, rather than waiting until needs become more complex.
Challenges Still Facing the SEND System
Although the new funding announcements are significant, experts have highlighted several ongoing challenges.
These include:
Increasing demand for SEND services
Long waiting times for assessments
Difficulties accessing specialist professionals
Financial pressures on local authorities
In some areas, parents continue to experience long delays when seeking assessments or support for their children.
Why Early Support Matters
Research consistently shows that early identification and support can dramatically improve outcomes for children with developmental differences such as:
Autism
ADHD
Speech and language difficulties
Learning differences
When children receive the right understanding and strategies early on, it can positively impact their:
Confidence
Emotional wellbeing
School experience
Social relationships
How Lycali Supports Children, Young People and Adults
At Lycali, we understand how challenging navigating the SEND system can be for families.
Our service provides:
Autism and ADHD assessments for children, adolescents and adults
Specialist psychological and psychoeducational support
Post-diagnostic guidance for families
Therapy and practical strategies to support daily life
We work with families across Kent and the surrounding areas, helping individuals better understand their strengths, challenges, and support needs.
Supporting Families Through Change
As the SEND system evolves, it is more important than ever that families have access to clear information, specialist expertise, and supportive services.
While policy changes aim to strengthen early intervention within schools, independent clinical services continue to play an important role in helping families gain clarity, understanding, and personalised support.
If you would like to learn more about assessments or support services available through Lycali, please visit:
www.lycali.co.uk