Last chance for parents to share views on school SEND support changes

Families have until 18 May to respond to the government’s SEND consultation for schools in England.

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Published: May 13, 2026 at 5:21 PM

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Parents and carers of children with special educational needs and disabilities (SEND) have just five days left (until 18 May) to respond to a major government consultation on proposed changes to support in schools.

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The consultation, which closes at 11.59pm on Monday 18 May, comes as the government confirmed plans for new SEND legislation in the King’s Speech through its proposed Education for All Bill.

The changes could affect how children with SEND are supported in mainstream and specialist settings in England for years to come, with ministers saying the reforms are designed to create a more inclusive education system.

Why this matters to families

Around 1.7 million children in England are identified as having SEND, which is roughly one in five school pupils.

The consultation asks parents, carers, young people and professionals for feedback on proposed changes to the current system, including how support is accessed and delivered in schools and local communities.

The government says the proposed reforms would include:

The proposed legislation is intended to support long-term changes to SEND provision, although the Bill itself has not yet been introduced to Parliament.

What the Education for All Bill means

Female support worker assisting child with special educational needs, writing in his book as he watches and concentrates

The Education for All Bill was announced as part of the King’s Speech on Wednesday 13 May, signalling the government’s intention to bring forward legislation related to SEND reform in the future.

According to the Department for Education, the proposed changes aim to improve access to support earlier and closer to home through mainstream schools and local services.

I want to hear from as many parents as possible to make sure we build a system fit to last.

Bridget Phillipson, Education Secretary

Education Secretary Bridget Phillipson said: “Children with SEND deserve a system that lifts them up, and that puts no limit on what they can go on to achieve.

"The Education for All Bill is a vital lever in this process, but I am clear that any changes must be built with the families they are designed to serve.

"There are five days left to feed into our consultation, and I want to hear from as many parents as possible to make sure we build a system fit to last.”

What experts think of the potential reforms

Dr Lisa Williams, founder and clinical director of The Autism Service, a private provider of autism and ADHD assessments in the UK, said many families would welcome changes to the current system, but warned that some proposals may also cause concern for parents already struggling to access support.

“Most families would agree the current SEND system is not working as it should," she says. "Long waits, inconsistent provision and increasing pressure on schools and NHS services mean reform is clearly needed.”

Dr Williams said proposed changes linked to EHCP eligibility and neurodevelopmental pathways could create uncertainty for some families.

However, any changes to EHCP eligibility or neurodevelopmental pathways will inevitably create anxiety for parents, particularly those already struggling to access support for autistic children or children with ADHD in schools.

Dr Lisa Williams, founder and clinical director of The Autism Service

She also highlighted the importance of balancing earlier support in mainstream schools with continued access to specialist assessments where needed:

“Earlier intervention and stronger support in mainstream schools could make a meaningful difference, but only if schools are properly resourced and specialist assessment remains accessible for children with more significant or persistent needs.”

She added that growing awareness around autism and ADHD had helped more families seek support, but stressed the importance of maintaining consistent clinical standards in diagnosis.

The priority now should be creating a SEND system that is timely, evidence-based and joined up across education and healthcare, rather than one where families continue to face long delays and uncertainty.

Dr Lisa Williams, founder and clinical director of The Autism Service

How parents can take part

Parents and carers can respond to the consultation online through the Department for Education’s Citizen Space website before the deadline on Monday 18 May.

The consultation covers a wide range of proposed reforms to SEND support in England and gives families the opportunity to share experiences of the current system, alongside feedback on future plans.

The government says responses will help shape the next stage of the reforms before legislation is introduced.

Key dates at a glance

For parents currently navigating SEND support, the consultation may be one of the few opportunities to directly feed into planned changes before the proposals move further through the legislative process.

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Authors

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Hollie BondSenior Digital Journalist

Hollie is Senior Digital Journalist at MadeForMums. She writes articles about pregnancy, parenting, child health and getting pregnant. She has written for a number of national lifestyle magazines and websites over the past 12 years including Family History Monthly, You and Your Wedding and Muddy Stilettos. She has two children aged 5 and 8 and hasn't slept since 2017!

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