Minister says children in England will get support more quickly under Send overhaul

Bridget Phillipson, the Education Secretary of England, announced on February 22, 2026, that the government's overhaul of the Special Educational Needs and Disabilities (SEND) system will begin immediately, aiming to provide faster support for children with special needs after years of delays and bureaucratic bottlenecks. The minister defended the changes during a parliamentary statement, emphasizing that the government is 'not taking away support' from vulnerable children but rather improving how it's delivered to make it more efficient and responsive to individual needs. The reforms come amid increasing criticism of the current system, which has faced significant backlogs and lengthy waiting times for assessments and support implementation. The SEND overhaul includes several key components designed to streamline processes and reduce administrative burdens on schools and local authorities. Phillipson outlined new assessment protocols that will prioritize urgent cases, clearer guidelines for educational institutions regarding their responsibilities, and increased funding for specialized support services. These changes represent the most significant reform to England's special needs education system in over a decade, addressing concerns raised by parents, teachers, and advocacy groups about the system's inability to adequately support children with diverse learning requirements. The government has faced mounting pressure to address the challenges in the SEND system, which has struggled to cope with rising numbers of children requiring specialized educational support. Phillipson acknowledged these difficulties but expressed confidence that the new approach would create a more responsive and effective framework. The minister also announced additional resources for teacher training in special educational needs, ensuring that educators are better equipped to identify and address learning differences early in a child's educational journey.