The government’s SEND Reform promises stronger inclusion and a more sustainable system. Reform is needed — demand is rising and families are waiting too long for support.
But there is a group at risk of being overlooked.
In 2025, 279,000 children and young people missed over 20% of their education due to long-term illness. Many are in hospital, in treatment, or recovering at home.
The proposed shift toward school-led support plans and tighter EHCP thresholds aims to strengthen provision in school.
But what about children who physically cannot attend?
At Bright Futures UK, we see every day that long-term illness is not always widely recognised as SEND — despite many of these young people meeting the legal definition of special educational needs. For them, an EHCP is often the only statutory guarantee that education continues while health comes first.
If access becomes harder, the consequences are clear:
- A widening attainment gap
- Increased isolation
- More difficult returns to education
Reform can be positive. But support must be flexible, portable and designed for children whose classrooms look different during treatment and recovery.
SEND reform must work for all children — not just those able to sit at a school desk.
Let’s make sure this review strengthens inclusion in practice, not just in principle.
