The government is to delay publishing its long-awaited overhaul of special educational needs provision in England as ministers seek to build a coalition among parents to support its changes.
The schools white paper, which had been expected to be published this autumn, will not appear until early in the new year, according to a letter from the education secretary, Bridget Phillipson, to the chair of the Commons education select committee, Helen Hayes.
Phillipson said in the letter: “We will test policy options being considered and seek views through listening sessions in every region of the country, and fortnightly ministerial meetings with key parent and expert groups. We will publicise these events clearly across the department’s channels to ensure that we reach as many people as possible.”
The white paper is expected to propose changing the funding and treatment of children with special educational needs and disabilities (Send) and address a surge in associated costs as the number of children affected by conditions such as autism and ADHD has soared.
Local authorities are buckling under the financial strain from rising numbers of children and young people being assessed as needing education, health and care plans (EHCPs) detailing additional support, leading some parents to fear the government could scrap or reduce access to EHCPs.
Tom Rees, chair of the government’s expert advisory group on Send, said: “I’ve said before that reforming the Send system is both the most important and the most complex policy area in education today. There is lots of appetite for change and it’s important to take the time to get this right.
“Reform of this scale can’t be rushed, and I welcome the additional time so that both the expert advisory group and the government can continue to listen, develop and test ideas.”
Government sources said ministers wanted to continue building a consensus among families and experts to deliver the changes, with ministers eager to avoid the sort of rebellion by MPs that derailed attempts to reform disability benefits earlier this year.
The proximity of the white paper to next month’s budget has also concerned ministers over perceptions that any changes to EHCPs or special needs provision were being driven by the need for savings.
A Labour source said: “This government has grasped the nettle on Send in a way in which no other party has had the courage to do, and we will make no apology in taking the time to get this right – and we will.
“Contrast that with opposition parties who offer no hope on Send: [the shadow education secretary] Laura Trott’s Tory party conference speech didn’t mention it once, because she knows they won’t be trusted to come up with any ideas to fix a system they themselves broke.
“Meanwhile [Nigel] Farage and Reform have dismissed children with complex needs as ‘naughty’ and ‘over-diagnosed’. They’ll do away with support for children with Send entirely if they get the chance – that is, if the councils they run haven’t blown up council finances first.”
The delay also follows last month’s reshuffle, in which Georgia Gould was appointed as the new minister responsible for Send. Gould has taken on responsibility for engagement with families about the plans.
Phillipson, who is running for election as Labour’s deputy leader, is said to be “categorical” about the need for change despite the political risks. She told school leaders last week that the results for many children with special needs were “a stain on our society”.
