Question to the Department for Education:

To ask the Secretary of State for Education, what the threshold will be for an EHC needs assessment and an EHC plan under the proposed reforms set out in the consultation, SEND reform: Putting children and young people first.

We propose in future only children and young people who require the support of a Specialist Provision Package (SPP) will be eligible for an Education, Health and Care (EHC) plan.

The provision offer set out in the Specialist Provision Packages will underpin the entitlements in an EHC plan, and we propose that only those children and young people who need a Specialist Provision Package will have an EHC plan in future.

These Packages will be developed by experts, including with parents, and overseen by an independent panel of experts which the department has now appointed. The panel will be responsible for developing and reviewing the National Inclusion Standards and Specialist Provision Packages, improving the quality of evidence across the across the special educational needs and disabilities (SEND) system and ensuring alignment between the layers of support.

We are committed to co-designing the needs assessment process for those who may need the support of an EHC plan and a Package, including working with families, children and young people, educators and health and care experts. We will strengthen the needs assessment process so it is clearer, simpler and reflects the voice of parents, carers and the child or young person.