How can England build a SEND system that identifies need earlier, supports inclusion effectively and delivers better outcomes for children and young people? 

England’s SEND system is entering a period of significant change. The Government’s SEND Reform: Putting Children and Young People First proposals set out plans for a more inclusive education system, with new National Inclusion Standards, Individual Support Plans, Specialist Provision Packages, stronger local accountability and greater access to specialist expertise within mainstream settings. The Government has committed £7 billion of additional SEND investment compared with 2025/26, alongside £1.6 billion for the Inclusive Mainstream Fund and £1.8 billion for the Experts at Hand programme.  

The scale of demand is substantial. In 2025/26, more than 1.8 million pupils in England had SEN, including 538,547 with an EHC plan and 1.32 million receiving SEN support. The number of pupils with an EHC plan increased by 11.6% in one year. Meanwhile, 718,800 children and young people had an active EHC plan in January 2026, up 12.5% from the previous year.  

Alongside rising demand, schools and local authorities face pressures around early identification, workforce capacity, specialist provision, EHCP processes, attendance, inclusion, funding and effective partnership working. In 2025, 70% of area SEND inspections found inconsistent experiences and outcomes, while 23% identified widespread or systemic failings. Pupils with SEND also continue to experience higher levels of absence, with pupils with EHC plans almost eight times as likely to be severely absent as pupils without identified SEN in autumn 2025/26.  

The Institute of Government & Public Policy is proud to announce the twelfth edition the National Special Educational Needs and Disabilities (SEND) Conference, returning to London for 2027. This national event will bring together SENDCOs, inclusion leads, headteachers, MAT and school leaders, local authority professionals, charities, and social enterprises to discuss practical insights, policy updates, and collaborative opportunities for those committed to improving SEND provision nationwide.  

Join the Institute of Government and Public policy for the National Special Educational Needs and Disabilities (SEND) Conference 2027, which will explore how organisations can strengthen inclusive education, improve early intervention, develop workforce capability, work across services and deliver better experiences and outcomes for children, young people and their families.