Every Child Achieving and Thriving: What the New Education White Paper Means for SEND
The government has recently released two significant documents that look set to change the landscape of education: the White Paper, Every Child Achieving and Thriving , and a formal consultation, Putting Children and Young People First.
At Chatterbug, we have been looking closely at these proposals to see exactly what they mean for the children we work with and for all of you navigating the system. If you have been following our work for a while, you know our stance: every child deserves to be understood and supported exactly where they are
This new vision feels like the system is finally catching up to that belief. The big shift is moving from an education system where children with additional needs are often sidelined to one that is built to include them from day one.
Here is the Chatterbug-eye view of the key changes.
1. A New “Experts at Hand” Service
This is the proposal we are most excited about. The government is planning to invest £1.8 billion to create an Experts at Hand service. The goal is to get specialists, like our speech and language therapists, working directly in mainstream schools and early years settings.
Instead of waiting for a formal diagnosis or an EHCP, schools will be able to draw on expert advice much earlier. For us, this is a massive win because it is exactly what we are already doing. Through our Intervention FirstTM model and our dedicated school services, we have been working inside classrooms for years to provide immediate support without the wait for a label.
It is encouraging to see the government recognise that this “support first” approach is the best way to ensure children get help when they need it, rather than waiting months or years on a list.
2. Digital “Individual Support Plans” (ISPs)
The paperwork battle is a major stress for parents, and these reforms look to move everything into a more accessible online format. The government is introducing a statutory duty for schools to create an Individual Support Plan (ISP) for every child with SEND.
These are intended to be living documents that follow the child as they move from nursery to school and beyond. This should mean parents no longer have to retell their child’s story to every new teacher or professional they meet.
3. Inclusion Bases in Mainstream Schools
The plan includes £3.7 billion of investment to create tens of thousands of new places in Inclusion Bases within mainstream schools by 2030. These bases will combine specialist teaching and support while keeping children connected to their local school community and their peers. This aligns perfectly with our goal of making every environment a communication-friendly one.
4. A Shift in Language: “Areas of Development”
The government is moving away from the old “areas of need” and replacing them with areas of development. These include:
- Executive Function
- Motor and Physical
- Sensory
- Speech, Language, and Communication
- Social and Emotional
This is a vital change in tone. It is about looking at what a child can do and focusing on how we help them grow, rather than just labelling a deficit.
What This Means for You
Reform can often feel like just another word for more change to manage. However, the focus here on early intervention and joined-up services is something we have championed from the start.
The government has launched a “National Conversation” to hear thoughts on these plans. We will be keeping a close eye on how this rolls out and continuing to provide the hands-on, expert support that helps our kids thrive, regardless of what the paperwork says.
What are your first thoughts on these new plans? Let’s keep the conversation going.