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Special Educational Needs

Asked by Wendy MortonConservativeDepartment for EducationTabled Answered 24 June 2026UIN 10135

The question

To ask the Secretary of State for Education, with reference to the consultation entitled SEND reform: putting children and young people first, what estimate she has made of the number of children and young people who may no longer meet the criteria for support under changes to the current areas of need framework.

Answered by Georgia Gould

Through our reforms, we expect more children and young people to receive multiagency support than do today. Every setting will have a high-quality, universal and targeted offer to ensure effective educational support for all children.

Subject to the outcomes of the consultation, we will refresh the areas of need to better reflect key areas of child development. These will move us away from the categorisation of children and young people and the increasing reliance on diagnosis. Instead, they will support educators to identify needs early and effectively.

Settings will have a universal offer of high-quality teaching and support for all, setting a new baseline for mainstream education across ages 0 to 25. Most children and young people will have their needs met through the universal offer, with additional layers of targeted support available for those who need it. We will retain education health and care plans, underpinned by Specialist Provision Packages for those with the most complex needs.

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