DORSET Council is examining sweeping new government plans aimed at overhauling England’s education system including major reforms to support children with special educational needs and disabilities (SEND).

The Education White Paper, titled Every Child Achieving and Thriving, sets out a long-term strategy to improve inclusion and outcomes for all children.

It addresses longstanding challenges around attainment, disadvantage, SEND provision and school attendance.

Dorset Council said it is “cautiously positive” about the proposals and the accompanying SEND reform consultation, and is now studying what the changes could mean locally.

Under the plans, all schools would be expected to better support children with SEND and those from disadvantaged backgrounds within mainstream settings, backed by an additional £4 billion in government funding.

The reforms propose a three-tier system of support: targeted support delivered by schools, targeted plus support involving education and health professionals, and specialist support through an Education Health and Care Plan (EHCP) for children with the most complex needs.

In future, more children are expected to receive help without requiring an EHCP.

However, any child who already has an EHCP when the new legislation begins will keep it until they complete their current phase of education.

From the 2029-30 academic year, children moving between primary, secondary and post-16 education will be reassessed under the new framework.

Cabinet portfolio member for children’s services, education and skills Cllr Clare Sutton said: “Children, young people and their families have been failed through the current SEND system for far too long and we need to see major reform, so they can get the support they really need.

“It is good news that the Government shares our view that children with SEND who require support can access this in a local mainstream education setting where this is appropriate.

“The indicated investment from the government to support reform is very welcome but it must ensure that it is sufficient to address the disparities of years of underfunding for Councils such as Dorset.

“Further resource for councils to bridge this period and enable councils to recruit the levels of staff to speed up support requests will be vital in ensuring a strong foundation for these reforms to the system.’’

Dorset Parent Carer Council spokesperson Lesley Mellor added: “There is a huge amount of information in the White Paper, and I would urge parents and carers to take time and read the documents that have been produced before making an immediate judgement.

“We want those parent carers to use the consultation to share their concerns.”

The Department for Education consultation runs until mid-May.