The UK’s Special Educational Needs and Disabilities (SEND) system is in a period of major scrutiny and proposed change. For many families, the Education, Health and Care Plan (EHCP) is a legal safeguard ensuring children and young people with SEND get the educational, health or care support they need. But the system has been under pressure: rising demand, inconsistent delivery, long delays, and concerns over capacity and funding.

 

What are the Current Reforms & Proposals?

1. Growing Demand & Cost Pressure
   The number of EHCPs has been increasing rapidly. Since 2018, the number of children with EHCPs has surged by about 80%, so that roughly 1 in 20 school‐aged children now have one. The Guardian+2Children’s Commissioner+2
   Local authorities are facing large deficits in SEND funding, warning that the current system is financially unsustainable. Some councils warn of “mass bankruptcies” due to SEND overspends. The Guardian+2Local Government Association+2
2. Proposals to Change EHCPs
   Government advisers are considering changes to how EHCPs are accessed or structured. Options being discussed include narrowing which children qualify for an EHCP, simplifying or reducing parts of the process, potentially replacing outmoded practices. CACI – Do amazing things with data+3Schools Week+3Farrer & Co.+3
   There’s also a push to reduce bureaucracy, improve digital systems for EHCPs, speed up timelines, and make the process more transparent. CACI – Do amazing things with data+1
3. Concerns & Stakeholder Reactions
   Parents, campaigners, and some MPs are cautious. They fear that narrowing EHCP eligibility or reducing the legal enforceability could reduce statutory protections. There are concerns that any reform must preserve rights, not diminish them. The Guardian+1
   The Parliamentary Education Committee has called for the government to commit clearly to retain EHCPs as part of the SEND system, to maintain trust with families. The Guardian
4. Implementation Plans & Improvement Programmes
   The SEND Improvement Plan and related proposals aim to reshape the EHCP system: digitisation, reducing delays, clearer pathways, more support in mainstream settings, and greater accountability. CACI – Do amazing things with data+1
   But there is acknowledgement that some recommended reforms from earlier Green Papers have been delayed or are behind schedule. CACI – Do amazing things with data+1

 

Why an ADHD or Autism Assessment is More Important Now Than Ever

Given all the turbulence in the SEND / EHCP landscape, having a timely, accurate assessment for ADHD or autism can offer several critical benefits for families and children:

1. Clarifying Needs and Rights
   An assessment provides evidence about what supports a child needs. If a child has ADHD or autism (or both), these conditions are often part of what an EHCP must address. Without formal diagnosis, arguing for support becomes harder.
2. Access to Appropriate Support
   With diagnosis, families can access tailored interventions: specialist teaching, therapy, reasonable accommodations, sometimes medication. Early interventions tend to lead to better outcomes. For example, research shows that diagnosing autism by age 6 is associated with better communication outcomes. CADS+1
3. Improved Education & Wellbeing Outcomes
   Without proper support, children can struggle academically, socially, emotionally. Mis- or under-diagnosed ADHD or autism may lead to secondary problems (anxiety, low self-esteem, behavioural difficulties). A diagnosis helps target strategies for learning, social inclusion, behaviour and environment that match how a child learns best.
4. Stronger Position in SEND / EHCP Discussions
   If the EHCP system is being reformed or tightened, having formal assessments gives families stronger evidence to make the case for a plan. It also helps in discussions with schools, local authorities, and health teams, ensuring the child’s functional differences are understood and can be accounted for in the support plan.
5. Personal Identity, Belonging, and Understanding
   Beyond official systems, assessment can help the child (and family/carers) understand why certain things may feel differently. This can reduce self-blame, stigma, or misunderstanding and help children build self-confidence and self-awareness.

 

What You Can Do Now

• If you are worried your child might have ADHD or autism, consider seeking an assessment (through the NHS or via private / ‘Right to Choose’ / Private options)
• Keep records: behaviour over time, settings where challenges/strengths show up, what helps and what doesn’t.
• Engage with your school or education setting early: share assessment results, ask about existing support, refer to SEND support statutory rights.
• Stay informed about the reforms: what changes are proposed in your area, how local councils are responding.

 

Conclusion

The UK is in the midst of SEND reform. EHCPs are under review, proposals are in flux, and the pressures -financial, bureaucratic, practical are real. In that context, getting an accurate ADHD or autism assessment is more than just a label: it’s a tool to access support, to assert rights, to understand your child, and to help shape how the reforms work in practice. For children to thrive, having the right diagnosis and corresponding support matters now more than ever.

 

References

• Institute for Fiscal Studies. (2025). Special needs overhaul risks becoming ‘welfare reforms mark 2’. The Guardian
• Local Government Association. (2025). SEND system ‘not working for anyone in it’ report. Local Government Association
• TES. (2025). SEND reforms: Will the government scrap EHCPs? Tes
• Nottinghamshire Healthcare NHS Foundation Trust. Autism and ADHD Services. nottinghamshirehealthcare.nhs.uk
• ADHD Foundation / Young et al. (2020). “Identification and Treatment of ADHD and Autism — consensus recommendations.” ADHD Foundation

Cuckfield Medical Practice. Right to Choose ASD & ADHD Assessment Pathways. cuckfieldmedicalpractice.nhs.uk