A SENCO's Guide to the White Paper SEND Reforms 2026 Primary Schools Edition

A SENCO's Guide to the White Paper SEND Reforms 2026 - Primary Schools Edition is an essential leadership handbook for Special Educational Needs Coordinators navigating the most significant structural reform of SEND in over a decade. In February 2026, the Department for Education published Every Child Achieving and Thriving, setting out a ten-year vision for education reform in England. For primary schools, this White Paper marks a decisive shift: inclusive mainstream is no longer an aspiration. It is the default expectation. This book moves beyond policy summary. It is a practical implementation guide written specifically for primary SENCOs who must translate reform into classroom reality. Inside, you will find clear, strategic guidance on: • Designing and embedding the new Individual Support Plan framework • Strengthening early identification systems in Reception and Key Stage 1 • Navigating EHCP thresholds and Specialist Provision Packages • Integrating SEND with attendance, behaviour and engagement strategies • Adapting a knowledge-rich curriculum without lowering ambition • Building staff confidence through structured workforce development • Implementing costed provision mapping and sustainable funding models • Demonstrating measurable impact through robust data systems • Rebuilding parental trust within a less adversarial system