The National Network of Parent Carer Forums (NNPCF) has expressed serious concern following recent media reports suggesting the government may raise the threshold for accessing an Education, Health and Care Plan (EHCP). In response, the NNPCF have met with the Department for Education (DfE) and Dame Christine Lenehan several times, to seek clarity and ensure that the views of Parent Carers and local Parent Carer Forums (PCFs) are represented.
The NNPCF has conveyed the concerns and reactions from many families and PCFs about any move that could restrict access to essential support. Unclear and inconsistent messaging around these “potential” changes has damaged parental trust in a system many already feel is failing their children. Parents urgently need reassurance that any reforms will not jeopardise support for children and young people with SEND.
In its discussions with the DfE, the NNPCF has stressed the importance of a comprehensive engagement strategy to ensure genuine parent participation. We have also called for clear accountability mechanisms when children and young people’s needs are not met.
The SEND system must be transparent, responsive, and inclusive, with defined responsibilities across education, health, and social care. Only with clear accountability and honest communication can confidence in the system be rebuilt.
These concerns arise within an already adversarial SEND landscape, where families often face significant barriers just to secure basic support.
Too many families are forced to seek EHCPs for access to help that should be readily available, enduring stress, lost income, lengthy delays and poor outcomes for their children and young people. Many families report part-time timetables, exclusions, or unmet needs due to a lack of appropriate provision.
There is widespread recognition that reform is needed, but how change is developed and delivered are critical. The NNPCF is calling for inclusive reform, shaped in partnership with families. “Nothing about us without us” must be the guiding principle. Improvements must include strong safeguards for accountability and access to redress when support fails.
Restoring trust will require open dialogue, adequate funding, and a skilled, supported workforce. Most importantly, policymakers must work with families, not around them. The NNPCF remains committed to working with a solution-focused approach, in collaboration with the DfE and partners, to help shape a system that is fairer for families, less adversarial, and fully meets the needs of children and young people with SEND.