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White Paper Consultation

Have your say on the Government’s proposed changes to improve outcomes for children and young people with Special Educational Needs and Disabilities

The government has recently published a new Education White Paper, Every Child Achieving and Thriving, alongside a national consultation on reforms to the system for children and young people with Special Educational Needs and Disabilities (SEND). These proposals apply to schools in England and set out the government’s long‑term plans to improve inclusion and outcomes for all children, particularly those with additional needs.

The consultation is running for 12 weeks and you have until 18th May 2025 to share your thoughts and views on the proposals.

What is the government trying to do?

The government’s aim is to create a more inclusive education system, where children get the right support earlier, particularly in mainstream schools, and where expectations are clearer and more consistent across the country.

The changes aim to improve help and support for children and young people with SEND across the 0 – 25 years system.

What are the key proposals?

The proposals can be found here:

Every Child Achieving and Thriving

SEND Reform: Putting Children and Young People First

Large print and braille versions are available, email your request to: schools.strategy@education.gov.uk

Will the SEN Reforms affect parents now?

The SEN proposals are part of a consultation and, if agreed, would be introduced gradually over several years. Importantly:

  • Children with existing EHCPs will continue to receive the support set out in their plans.
  • There are no changes to provision or placements at this time.
  • Schools and local authorities will be given time to prepare before any reforms are implemented.

What does this mean for schools?

In line with the White Paper, schools will continue to focus on:

  • Early identification of need
  • High‑quality inclusive teaching
  • Working closely with families and professionals
  • Making sure pupils with SEND feel supported, included, and able to thrive

Hampshire County Council recognises the strong offer for our children and young people across the County, and the excellent work that goes on in schools to support inclusion already.

You can read more about the local response to the White Paper here.

The consultation and why your views matter

The Government is consulting on the proposals above and the consultation document explains the changes it plans to make an asks for comments from everyone with an interest. There are a range of accessible versions of the consultation document available, from Easy Read to a Children and Young People’s version, you can find them at the bottom of this page.

The Hampshire Parent Carer Network will be running workshops at all of our Local Offer Discovery Days to help parents understand the proposed reforms and to hear their concerns. 

It is really important that anyone who has an interest in these proposals has their say about them, this includes;

  • children, young people and families
  • teachers and leaders
  • schools, trusts and early years and post-16 providers
  • local authorities
  • experts and academic organisations
  • representative groups

Parent information has been published for schools to share as part of their own communication with parents:

Every child achieving and thriving - British Sign Language (BSL) version

What parents of children and young people with SEND need to know

What to expect from your child’s journey through education

What every parent can expect from our reforms

Schools information can be found here by school type:

Every child achieving and thriving and SEND consultation supporting information - GOV.UK

How do I give my views

You can respond to the consultation;

The consultation is open now and you have until 18th May 2025 to give your views.