www.factbucks.org.uk

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Due to capacity, questions will not be responded to via this platform. Any questions or enquiries submitted will be forwarded to the Department for Education as part of the SEND reform consultation process. If you would prefer, you can also provide feedback through your local MP by email.

Thank you in advance for your understanding.

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This white paper and accompanying documents set out the government’s vision for schools and special educational needs and disabilities (SEND) reform to support every child to achieve and thrive.

‘Every child achieving and thriving’ outlines our ambition to improve the lives of all children and young people. We aim to achieve this by:

• shifting children’s school experience from narrow to broad

• ensuring those who have been side lined are included

• taking children and communities from withdrawn to engaging with schools

Every child achieving and thriving - British Sign Language (BSL) version

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=isc_hvwaK1c

Documents

Every child achieving and thriving (HTML version)

HTML

Every child achieving and thriving (web-accessible version)

Ref: ISBN 978-1-5286-6032-7, E03470295

PDF, 1.32 MB, 118 pages

Every child achieving and thriving (print-ready version)

Ref: ISBN 978-1-5286-6032-7, E03470295, CP 1508-I

PDF, 2.61 MB, 120 pages

Order a copy

Every child achieving and thriving (easy read version)

PDF, 4.29 MB, 30 pages

6,500 additional teachers delivery plan (HTML version)

Ref: E03470295, CP 150811

HTML

Order a copy

6,500 additional teachers delivery plan (web-accessible version)

Ref: ISBN 978-1-5286-6206-2, E03470295, CP 150811

PDF, 315 KB, 21 pages

Order a copy

6,500 additional teachers delivery plan (print-ready version)

Ref: ISBN 978-1-5286-6206-2, E03470295, CP 1508-II

PDF, 356 KB, 24 pages

Order a copy

What is this funding?

The government has announced £429 million of funding for 2026–2027 to support local SEND reform. This funding is called the Experts at Hand & Local Authority SEND Transformation Fund and applies to local authorities in England.

This is the first year of a longer‑term funding programme, with further funding planned through to 2029.

On behalf of FACT BUCKS, the Buckinghamshire Parent Carer Forum.
Our role is to represent parent carers’ lived experiences.

We are not delivering government policy.
We are helping families understand the proposals and share their views.

What this session is about

We are explaining proposed SEND reforms.

These come from the Department for Education.
Some parts are fixed.
Some parts are open for feedback.
We will focus on what families can influence.

Key documents

There are two main documents.
One is the Schools White Paper.
This shows the government’s overall vision.
It does not ask consultation questions.

The second document is the SEND consultation.
This is called “Putting Children and Young People First”.
This is where your views matter most.

Consultation basics

The consultation asks 39 questions.
Not every proposal can be changed.
Your experiences still matter.
You are helping shape how changes are delivered.

There are easy‑read versions and formats for accessibility.

Universal support is for all children.
No diagnosis should be needed.
It focuses on inclusion, early support, and good teaching.

Families may want to consider how consistent this feels in real life.

Reasonable adjustments

Children should not need a diagnosis for adjustments.
Guidance will be produced for schools and settings.
This reflects existing law, but practice is often inconsistent.
Families can share where adjustments work or fail.

Training for staff

All education staff will receive SEND and inclusion training.
This starts from September 2026.
Inclusion should not sit only with the SENCO.
A key question is whether training leads to real change.

Layers of support

There are three main layers: Universal support
Targeted support
Targeted Plus support

Targeted and Targeted Plus support use

Individual Support Plans.
These plans should be shared with parents.
They should be reviewed regularly.

Individual Support Plans describe: Barriers to learning
Support provided
Adjustments needed
Intended outcomes

They are meant to move with the child between settings.

Expert at Hand gives schools quicker access to specialists.
This includes speech and language, therapy, and psychology.
The aim is earlier support without long waits.
Families may want safeguards around quality and access.

Inclusion Bases sit within mainstream schools.
They replace SEN units and similar provision.
They aim to support children locally.
Families may want to consider how choices and placements are made.

Specialist provision remains for children with complex needs.
New “Specialist Provision Packages” are proposed.
These describe types of specialist support more clearly.
Families may want to consider flexibility and individualisation.

Education, Health and Care Plans

EHCPs would guarantee specialist provision.
Day‑to‑day support would sit in Individual Support Plans.
Families may want to consider whether this strengthens or weakens rights.

Funding

The government has announced large investments.
Funding alone does not guarantee good experiences.
How money is used locally matters.

Local SEND Reform Plans

Every local area must produce a SEND Reform Plan.
Funding depends on plan approval.
Parent Carer Forums must be involved meaningfully.
FACT Bucks supports co‑production, not token consultation.

Sharing your views

You do not need to answer every consultation question.

Focus on what matters most to your family.
Short, clear responses are enough.

FACT Bucks is collecting views through Padlet.
You can post anonymously.
Please focus on systems, not individuals.

Your lived experience is evidence.
FACT Bucks will continue to share parent‑carer voices.
Please engage in ways that feel manageable for you.

Thank you.