Why We’re Not Ready to Scrap EHCPs – And Why That Matters

In recent weeks, many of us in the SEND community have seen headlines suggesting that Education, Health and Care Plans (EHCPs) could be scrapped as part of wider SEND reforms. The suggestion, reported in Schools Week, has caused understandable concern and confusion for families. 

At Learn and Thrive, we’ve had messages from parents asking: 
“What does this mean for my child?” 
“Is this really happening?” 
“Will support disappear?” 

So let’s talk about it. 

EHCPs: What They Are, and Why They Matter 

An EHCP is a legally binding plan designed to ensure that children and young people with complex needs receive joined-up support across education, health and care. For many families, it is the only way to secure meaningful, tailored help in school and beyond. 

EHCPs aren’t perfect. The system around them is often slow, bureaucratic, and hard to navigate. But they offer one of the few legal safeguards for children and young people with learning difficulties - and for families who too often find themselves battling just to access what their child needs. 

The Vision: Why Scrap EHCPs? 

Some policymakers and advisors argue that, in an ideal world, support for additional needs would be baked into every school and service. Every teacher would be trained. Every setting would be inclusive. Every child would be supported without the need for a plan or a fight. 

In that world: yes, EHCPs might no longer be necessary. That’s a future many of us want: where support is automatic, not something you have to apply and wait months (or years) for. 

We would love to see a world in which EHCP’s were no longer needed. That’s the dream. 

But here’s the problem. 

Scrapping EHCPs Before Fixing the System Is a Risk We Can’t Afford 

The vision might be right. But the order is wrong. 

We cannot remove EHCPs—and the legal protection they provide—before the system is ready to deliver high-quality, consistent, needs-led support to every child. 

Families already face barriers even with an EHCP in place. We hear time and again about parents who’ve waited months for assessments, fought through tribunals, or watched their child go without vital therapies due to budget cuts. 

What happens if that legal framework disappears before a better alternative is ready? 

We risk leaving children and young people with fewer rights, less access, and even more postcode lottery in support. 

What Parents Are Telling Us 

Since this conversation re-emerged, we’ve heard from worried parents across the country. They tell us: 

“My EHCP took two years to get and is still barely delivered. What happens if we lose it?” 
“This feels like it’s all about money, not children.” 
“Without the EHCP, I know my child would disappear into the background again.” 

We know from experience that early intervention, inclusive environments, and a well-trained workforce can make a huge difference. But those things don’t currently exist for every family—and EHCPs help bridge the gap. 

To remove them before real reform would be like taking away someone’s crutches before their broken leg has healed. 

What Needs to Happen First 

At Learn and Thrive, we believe in a world where children with learning difficulties can thrive without needing to battle for support. We want a system where needs are met early, automatically, and with dignity. 

But to get there, we must: 

• Invest properly in schools, services and training 

• Make inclusion the rule, not the exception 

• Build a culture of trust with families, not one of rationing and resistance 

• Involve parents, carers and disabled people in every step of the reform process 

Until that happens, EHCPs remain a vital part of the system. They are not a luxury. They are a lifeline. 

Our Message to Policymakers and Parents 

To policymakers: Please don’t confuse a long-term vision with an immediate fix. If we want to move beyond EHCPs, the system must first be strong enough to stand without them. 

To parents and carers: Your concerns are valid. Your voice matters. These reforms will shape the next decade of support for our children. Speak up, stay informed, and know that you are not alone. Sign this petition to get your voices heard.

At Learn and Thrive, we will continue to work towards that vision of a better future. But we’ll also continue to protect the children and families who need support today—not just someday. 

If you’d like to share your views on the current situation connect with us on social media and let us know.