Three errors here. First, in confusing some kind of SEND classification (20%) with EHCPs (5.5%).
Secondly in assuming it gives automatic right to DLA. Though there is a strong ECHP/DLA overlap.
Third in assuming that those moving to DLA to PIP never work (it's not an out of work benefit).
Secondly in assuming it gives automatic right to DLA. Though there is a strong ECHP/DLA overlap.
Third in assuming that those moving to DLA to PIP never work (it's not an out of work benefit).
"1 in 5 pupils are getting a SEND diagnosis..the vast majority then trip into the benefit system because they get child disability allowance allowance.'
This is completely false from Milburn. He's supposed to be reviewing this issue and he's just making things up. Inexcusable.
This is completely false from Milburn. He's supposed to be reviewing this issue and he's just making things up. Inexcusable.
January 24, 2026 at 8:51 AM
Three errors here. First, in confusing some kind of SEND classification (20%) with EHCPs (5.5%).
Secondly in assuming it gives automatic right to DLA. Though there is a strong ECHP/DLA overlap.
Third in assuming that those moving to DLA to PIP never work (it's not an out of work benefit).
Secondly in assuming it gives automatic right to DLA. Though there is a strong ECHP/DLA overlap.
Third in assuming that those moving to DLA to PIP never work (it's not an out of work benefit).
“Pulling the rug out from under children with EHCPs (or who would have them in future) with promises of better support in school in some distant tomorrow won’t cut it. Improved support must arrive first” Common sense from the EPI epi.org.uk/publications-and-...
Securing real SEND progress in the schools white paper - Education Policy Institute
⏱️ Estimated Read: 9 minDiversity in children’s strengths and needs is an inherent part of human development – yet schools policy and wider social policy have consistently failed to recognise and plan for this reality. This has been true since the Warnock Report of 1978 and the Education Act 1981 which integrated disabled children into mainstream…Read more Securing real SEND progress in the schools white paper ›
epi.org.uk
January 23, 2026 at 11:14 AM
“Pulling the rug out from under children with EHCPs (or who would have them in future) with promises of better support in school in some distant tomorrow won’t cut it. Improved support must arrive first” Common sense from the EPI epi.org.uk/publications-and-...
IFS: “reducing the use of EHCPs or limiting the support they could provide “would likely be needed to .. slow high-needs spending”. He forgets he’s talking about support for real children not widgets www.theguardian.com/educatio...
‘Crunch time’ on rising costs of Send provision in England, says thinktank
IFS says system failing to deliver for those who need it and ministers face stark choices with white paper imminent
www.theguardian.com
January 21, 2026 at 12:18 PM
IFS: “reducing the use of EHCPs or limiting the support they could provide “would likely be needed to .. slow high-needs spending”. He forgets he’s talking about support for real children not widgets www.theguardian.com/educatio...
It’s “children” and “schools” that are mentioned in reports about transport cost to LAs under personal budgets, but EHCPs go to 25. Have the FOI requests taken this into account; do the figures cited include all children and people with EHCP up to age 25?
January 18, 2026 at 9:46 AM
It’s “children” and “schools” that are mentioned in reports about transport cost to LAs under personal budgets, but EHCPs go to 25. Have the FOI requests taken this into account; do the figures cited include all children and people with EHCP up to age 25?
Yet many Section Fs in EHCPs include pre-teaching of subject specific vocabulary as provision.
January 16, 2026 at 6:26 AM
Yet many Section Fs in EHCPs include pre-teaching of subject specific vocabulary as provision.
So why the hostility?
Because in the public system, diagnosis is often the trigger for legal entitlement.
An autism or ID diagnosis unlocks EHCPs, social care duties, specialist placements, and long-term funding.
2/
Because in the public system, diagnosis is often the trigger for legal entitlement.
An autism or ID diagnosis unlocks EHCPs, social care duties, specialist placements, and long-term funding.
2/
January 13, 2026 at 12:35 PM
So why the hostility?
Because in the public system, diagnosis is often the trigger for legal entitlement.
An autism or ID diagnosis unlocks EHCPs, social care duties, specialist placements, and long-term funding.
2/
Because in the public system, diagnosis is often the trigger for legal entitlement.
An autism or ID diagnosis unlocks EHCPs, social care duties, specialist placements, and long-term funding.
2/
Each intake sees at least 4/5 of these students. Plus those whose EHCPs demand high level support there simply isn’t the funding or the staff available in the labour market to support all of these students hence the decline into secondary. Better paid support staff might help?
January 10, 2026 at 10:25 AM
Each intake sees at least 4/5 of these students. Plus those whose EHCPs demand high level support there simply isn’t the funding or the staff available in the labour market to support all of these students hence the decline into secondary. Better paid support staff might help?
“The real reason teachers are leaving?” New research illustrates system failure of insufficient support to meet pupils’ increasingly complex needs. Wait until they have to do it without EHCPs in mainstream. When will the Government ACTUALLY listen? www.tes.com/magazine/analysi...
The real reason teachers are leaving? Systemic failure
The real reason why teachers are leaving the profession is wider system failure that means they are being asked to meet pupils' increasingly complex needs without the proper support, writes researcher Gina Saggers
www.tes.com
January 8, 2026 at 11:23 AM
“The real reason teachers are leaving?” New research illustrates system failure of insufficient support to meet pupils’ increasingly complex needs. Wait until they have to do it without EHCPs in mainstream. When will the Government ACTUALLY listen? www.tes.com/magazine/analysi...
🚀 Patoss Platform launches its first webinar on 12th Jan!
This workshop is based on the findings of Young Researchers Young Voices, a 3-year co-research project that explored the impact of SEND support and EHCPs on children and young people (CYP).
🔗 Book: www.patoss-dyslexia.org/Live-Webinar...
This workshop is based on the findings of Young Researchers Young Voices, a 3-year co-research project that explored the impact of SEND support and EHCPs on children and young people (CYP).
🔗 Book: www.patoss-dyslexia.org/Live-Webinar...
January 8, 2026 at 10:45 AM
🚀 Patoss Platform launches its first webinar on 12th Jan!
This workshop is based on the findings of Young Researchers Young Voices, a 3-year co-research project that explored the impact of SEND support and EHCPs on children and young people (CYP).
🔗 Book: www.patoss-dyslexia.org/Live-Webinar...
This workshop is based on the findings of Young Researchers Young Voices, a 3-year co-research project that explored the impact of SEND support and EHCPs on children and young people (CYP).
🔗 Book: www.patoss-dyslexia.org/Live-Webinar...
I understand this. I don't think there is an easy solution to this, and in fact I think they've closed the window for *any* acceptable solution.
I think that EHCPs often provide the veneer of protection but no actual protection - as seen by the outcomes.
I think that EHCPs often provide the veneer of protection but no actual protection - as seen by the outcomes.
January 7, 2026 at 9:14 AM
I understand this. I don't think there is an easy solution to this, and in fact I think they've closed the window for *any* acceptable solution.
I think that EHCPs often provide the veneer of protection but no actual protection - as seen by the outcomes.
I think that EHCPs often provide the veneer of protection but no actual protection - as seen by the outcomes.
There's already a severe lack of support for many children who need it. The last thing needed is stripping it back even further.
It's hardly a shocker considering Labour's continued attacks on disabled individuals in general, and especially neurodivergent individuals
www.thetimes.com/article/9641...
It's hardly a shocker considering Labour's continued attacks on disabled individuals in general, and especially neurodivergent individuals
www.thetimes.com/article/9641...
January 2, 2026 at 12:59 PM
There's already a severe lack of support for many children who need it. The last thing needed is stripping it back even further.
It's hardly a shocker considering Labour's continued attacks on disabled individuals in general, and especially neurodivergent individuals
www.thetimes.com/article/9641...
It's hardly a shocker considering Labour's continued attacks on disabled individuals in general, and especially neurodivergent individuals
www.thetimes.com/article/9641...
I spoke to Andy Burnham on govt’s SEND reforms
- Reforms must “start from principle about nothing being taken away”
- System should eventually "move away from" EHCPs but in a way that does not "destabilise or frighten”
- Politics must be taken “right out of it”
www.politicshome.com/news/article...
- Reforms must “start from principle about nothing being taken away”
- System should eventually "move away from" EHCPs but in a way that does not "destabilise or frighten”
- Politics must be taken “right out of it”
www.politicshome.com/news/article...
SEND Reforms Must Not Be About 'Taking Away', Warns Andy Burnham
Exclusive: Greater Manchester Mayor Andy Burnham has said that reforms to the special educational needs and disabilities (SEND) system must “start ...
www.politicshome.com
December 21, 2025 at 9:39 AM
I spoke to Andy Burnham on govt’s SEND reforms
- Reforms must “start from principle about nothing being taken away”
- System should eventually "move away from" EHCPs but in a way that does not "destabilise or frighten”
- Politics must be taken “right out of it”
www.politicshome.com/news/article...
- Reforms must “start from principle about nothing being taken away”
- System should eventually "move away from" EHCPs but in a way that does not "destabilise or frighten”
- Politics must be taken “right out of it”
www.politicshome.com/news/article...
🚀 Patoss Platform launches its first webinar on 12th Jan!
This workshop is based on the findings of Young Researchers Young Voices, a 3-year co-research project that explored the impact of SEND support and EHCPs on children and young people (CYP).
🔗 Book: www.patoss-dyslexia.org/Live-Webinar...
This workshop is based on the findings of Young Researchers Young Voices, a 3-year co-research project that explored the impact of SEND support and EHCPs on children and young people (CYP).
🔗 Book: www.patoss-dyslexia.org/Live-Webinar...
December 16, 2025 at 8:45 AM
🚀 Patoss Platform launches its first webinar on 12th Jan!
This workshop is based on the findings of Young Researchers Young Voices, a 3-year co-research project that explored the impact of SEND support and EHCPs on children and young people (CYP).
🔗 Book: www.patoss-dyslexia.org/Live-Webinar...
This workshop is based on the findings of Young Researchers Young Voices, a 3-year co-research project that explored the impact of SEND support and EHCPs on children and young people (CYP).
🔗 Book: www.patoss-dyslexia.org/Live-Webinar...
Such an important blog, Ann. Reminds me of outcomes I’ve seen in EHCPs “to have a wide circle of friends” by the end of KS2 and the ‘strategies’ put in place to meet the outcome.
December 14, 2025 at 10:29 AM
Such an important blog, Ann. Reminds me of outcomes I’ve seen in EHCPs “to have a wide circle of friends” by the end of KS2 and the ‘strategies’ put in place to meet the outcome.
An important post from @captaink77.bsky.social and in this £3 bn funding is proof that EHCPs are at risk and the “National SEND Conversation” is as much a scam as we said it was.
NEW POST: The 1% club: @captaink77.bsky.social's analysis of Tribunal stats shows LAs won almost none of 25k SEND appeals in 2025, at an indefensible cost of over £200m. Plus, a shocking announcement from the DfE shows the truth of the “national SEND conversation” www.specialneedsjungle.com/l...
December 12, 2025 at 8:29 AM
An important post from @captaink77.bsky.social and in this £3 bn funding is proof that EHCPs are at risk and the “National SEND Conversation” is as much a scam as we said it was.
They are seeing the council issuing poor quality EHCPs resulting in children receiving inadequate support, which can push some children into mental health crises with the most devastating consequences. 2/2
December 11, 2025 at 1:02 PM
They are seeing the council issuing poor quality EHCPs resulting in children receiving inadequate support, which can push some children into mental health crises with the most devastating consequences. 2/2
I absolutely love that ❤️❤️❤️
how would you go about convincing your LA to include that? Also, if EHCPs get standardised and centralised?
I.have so many questions but worried gut feeling remains.
how would you go about convincing your LA to include that? Also, if EHCPs get standardised and centralised?
I.have so many questions but worried gut feeling remains.
December 7, 2025 at 3:26 PM
I absolutely love that ❤️❤️❤️
how would you go about convincing your LA to include that? Also, if EHCPs get standardised and centralised?
I.have so many questions but worried gut feeling remains.
how would you go about convincing your LA to include that? Also, if EHCPs get standardised and centralised?
I.have so many questions but worried gut feeling remains.
I do wonder what’ll happen when EHCPs are pared back and EPs are unshackled from statutory assessment duties to spend more time supporting schools
November 30, 2025 at 7:13 PM
I do wonder what’ll happen when EHCPs are pared back and EPs are unshackled from statutory assessment duties to spend more time supporting schools
"The real story of EHCPs is not runaway SEND prevalence, but the growing importance of statutory protection in the face of shrinking resources for inclusive mainstream provision." This is SUCH a good article, @mmulholland.bsky.social @tesmagazine.bsky.social: www.tes.com/magazine/ana...
Are EHCPs really driving the SEND crisis?
Education, health and care plans have been blamed for an unsustainable rise in special educational needs in schools, but would scrapping or limiting these plans fix the problem?
www.tes.com
November 30, 2025 at 4:58 PM
"The real story of EHCPs is not runaway SEND prevalence, but the growing importance of statutory protection in the face of shrinking resources for inclusive mainstream provision." This is SUCH a good article, @mmulholland.bsky.social @tesmagazine.bsky.social: www.tes.com/magazine/ana...
Higher % obtaining GCSE may be the right measure of EHCP outcomes for those capable of attaining them.
For many others, it is developing fundamental skills, like communication/speech: no obvious measure, as outcomes are bespoke.
The latter are most likely to be harmed by dilution of rights/EHCPs.
For many others, it is developing fundamental skills, like communication/speech: no obvious measure, as outcomes are bespoke.
The latter are most likely to be harmed by dilution of rights/EHCPs.
November 30, 2025 at 9:37 AM
Higher % obtaining GCSE may be the right measure of EHCP outcomes for those capable of attaining them.
For many others, it is developing fundamental skills, like communication/speech: no obvious measure, as outcomes are bespoke.
The latter are most likely to be harmed by dilution of rights/EHCPs.
For many others, it is developing fundamental skills, like communication/speech: no obvious measure, as outcomes are bespoke.
The latter are most likely to be harmed by dilution of rights/EHCPs.
But please not writing EHCPs - but this is what we're seeing (not universal but becoming more common).
November 29, 2025 at 5:20 PM
But please not writing EHCPs - but this is what we're seeing (not universal but becoming more common).
'Are EHCPs really driving the SEND crisis?'
Excellent, thoughtful piece from Margaret Mulholland in TES @tesmagazine.bsky.social
www.tes.com/magazine/ana...
Excellent, thoughtful piece from Margaret Mulholland in TES @tesmagazine.bsky.social
www.tes.com/magazine/ana...
Are EHCPs really driving the SEND crisis?
Education, health and care plans have been blamed for an unsustainable rise in special educational needs in schools, but would scrapping or limiting these plans fix the problem?
www.tes.com
November 26, 2025 at 9:09 AM
'Are EHCPs really driving the SEND crisis?'
Excellent, thoughtful piece from Margaret Mulholland in TES @tesmagazine.bsky.social
www.tes.com/magazine/ana...
Excellent, thoughtful piece from Margaret Mulholland in TES @tesmagazine.bsky.social
www.tes.com/magazine/ana...
EHCPs have been blamed for driving an unsustainable rise in SEND. But would limiting these actually fix the problem, asks @mmulholland.bsky.social
Are EHCPs really driving the SEND crisis?
Education, health and care plans have been blamed for an unsustainable rise in special educational needs in schools, but would scrapping or limiting these plans fix the problem?
www.tes.com
November 26, 2025 at 6:35 AM
EHCPs have been blamed for driving an unsustainable rise in SEND. But would limiting these actually fix the problem, asks @mmulholland.bsky.social
Are EHCPs driving the SEND crisis or a symptom of it? Is SEND demand in 2025 any larger than it was in 2010? Will scrapping EHCPs actually achieve anything productive?
One of the best analyses of the SEND crisis I have read from Margaret Mulholland
www.tes.com/magazine/ana...
One of the best analyses of the SEND crisis I have read from Margaret Mulholland
www.tes.com/magazine/ana...
Are EHCPs really driving the SEND crisis?
Education, health and care plans have been blamed for an unsustainable rise in special educational needs in schools, but would scrapping or limiting these plans fix the problem?
www.tes.com
November 26, 2025 at 7:27 AM
Are EHCPs driving the SEND crisis or a symptom of it? Is SEND demand in 2025 any larger than it was in 2010? Will scrapping EHCPs actually achieve anything productive?
One of the best analyses of the SEND crisis I have read from Margaret Mulholland
www.tes.com/magazine/ana...
One of the best analyses of the SEND crisis I have read from Margaret Mulholland
www.tes.com/magazine/ana...
A local area SEND partnership was awarded a positive inspection grade even with a 3 year+ waiting list for paediatric ND assessment
Another local area wasn't considered to have a significant weakness with EHCPs, despite only 3% delivered to legal deadlines & an average wait close to a year
Another local area wasn't considered to have a significant weakness with EHCPs, despite only 3% delivered to legal deadlines & an average wait close to a year
March 7, 2025 at 7:27 PM
A local area SEND partnership was awarded a positive inspection grade even with a 3 year+ waiting list for paediatric ND assessment
Another local area wasn't considered to have a significant weakness with EHCPs, despite only 3% delivered to legal deadlines & an average wait close to a year
Another local area wasn't considered to have a significant weakness with EHCPs, despite only 3% delivered to legal deadlines & an average wait close to a year