Many parent carers are concerned about aspects of the government’s SEND White Paper and the proposed changes to the SEND system.
We understand these worries. The plans could affect how support is given in the future, EHCPs and tribunal rights. Many families have questions about what this may mean for children and young people with SEND.
You can read our position on the White Paper here. You can read our response to the consultation here.
What is a Local SEND Reform Plan
As part of the government’s SEND reforms, every local area in England must create a Local SEND Reform Plan.
This plan was sent to the Department for Education at the end of May 2026. The local SNED reform plan is not connected to EHCPs or the tribunal process.
Instead, the plan explains how local services will work together to improve support for children and young people with SEND over the next few years. The plan must show how local services will meet a set of national minimum expectations.
Bristol’s SEND Reform Plan
Bristol City Council, health services, schools and other partners have been working together to develop Bristol’s SEND Reform Plan.
At Bristol Parent Carers, we have been involved in discussions and have shared feedback from parent carers to help shape the plan.
The Four Main Areas of the Reform plan
The current reform plans focus on four main areas.
- Earlier help
Children and young people should get support earlier, before needs reach crisis point.
- More support in mainstream settings
Schools should be better supported to meet needs and make reasonable adjustments so more children can succeed in their local community.
- Better joined-up services
Education, health and care services should work together more effectively so families do not have to repeat their story again and again.
- Stronger partnership working
Local areas should work alongside children, young people and parent carers when designing and improving services.
Our involvement
As part of the development of Bristol’s SEND Reform Plan, we shared what parent carers have told us over many years. Families told us that:
🔹 They often have to fight to be heard. Parent carers know their children best but do not always feel listened to or treated as equal partners.
🔹 The SEND system can be difficult to understand. Families need clear information and support to help them find the right help at the right time.
🔹 Early help is often hard to access, families often tell us about “the illusion of support”. Many families spend months or years trying to get the right support.
🔹 Too many children reach crisis point before help is provided. Support should be available much earlier.
🔹 Families who speak English as an additional language, are from global majority communities, have low incomes, or face other barriers (such as their own needs, exhaustion and overwhelm) can find it even harder to access support.
🔹 Schools do not always make reasonable adjustments. Families often report that needs are viewed as behaviour, poor parenting, lack of effort or a choice, rather than genuine unmet need.
🔹 Parents frequently have to repeat their story to different professionals. Services should work together and share information more effectively.
🔹 Parent carers want clearer communication. Families often feel they do not know what support is available or who is responsible for providing it.
🔹 Families want professionals to understand neurodiversity, trauma, sensory needs, communication differences and hidden disabilities.
🔹 Families want more and earlier support from therapists such as speech and language, occupational therapy and educational psychologist.
🔹 Children and young people should be included in decisions about their own lives and support.
🔹 Trust between families and services has been damaged in some areas and needs to be rebuilt through honesty, transparency and meaningful co-production.
We know these problems will not be fixed overnight. But by listening to families and understanding the challenges they face, the reform plan can help make things better for children, young people and their families.
What Happens Next?
The Department for Education will review each local area’s SEND Reform Plan. The plans will continue to develop over time as national reforms move forward.
We know many families have questions about the future of SEND support.
We will continue to share information, explain what is happening, and make sure the voices of Bristol parent carers are heard. We will provide updates through our website, newsletters and social media channels. Please read our White Paper hub