A Parent's Guide to the 2026 SEND Reforms

The government has launched a new consultation on how schools support children with Special Educational Needs and Disabilities (SEND). It is called the 'Every child achieving and thriving' consultation. If your child has dyslexia, or if you are currently trying to get them extra help with reading, these proposals will change how support works in English schools.

In short, the 2026 reforms aim to catch reading difficulties much earlier, standardise the support every school must provide, and simplify the EHCP process. You do not need to panic. These proposals are designed to make support more consistent, but the law still protects your child's right to an education that meets their needs. This guide breaks down exactly what is on the table and how you can have your say.

The 2026 SEND Consultation: A Plain-English Summary

The Department for Education (DfE) has published a consultation on school SEND reforms. A consultation is a way for the government to share its plans and ask parents, teachers, and specialists for their feedback before making these plans into law.

According to the Every child achieving and thriving and SEND consultation supporting information published by GOV.UK, the government wants to fix a system that currently feels like a battle for many families.

Right now, support for dyslexic pupils is a postcode lottery. Some schools identify difficulties quickly and put excellent interventions in place. Other schools lack the budget or training, leaving parents to fight for every scrap of help.

The proposed reforms want to change this by creating clear national standards. This means every state school in England would be expected to offer the same baseline of support for reading and writing difficulties, regardless of their budget.

How the Proposed Reforms Aim to Catch Reading Difficulties Earlier

One of the biggest changes in the consultation is a focus on early identification. The government wants schools to spot literacy difficulties the moment a child starts to struggle, rather than waiting for them to fail a key milestone.

If these reforms pass, schools will have clearer guidelines on how to assess children in the early years of primary school. This is crucial because early intervention can prevent the severe reading anxiety that often develops when a child falls behind their peers.

If you are worried that your child is already falling behind in their early reading, you can read our guide on Is my child falling behind in Year 1? What the data shows to understand what normal progress looks like.

Under the new proposals, schools will be encouraged to use structured, evidence-based reading interventions as soon as a difficulty is noticed. This aligns with the 'Science of Reading'—using systematic synthetic phonics to help children decode words rather than guessing them from pictures.

What Changes for EHCPs and School-Level SEN Support

For many parents of dyslexic children, the Education, Health and Care Plan (EHCP) process is exhausting. The new consultation addresses this directly.

1. Standardised School-Level Support

Most children with dyslexia do not need a full EHCP. They should receive what is called 'SEN Support' at school. The reforms aim to make this school-level support much stronger.

The government plans to introduce a national framework. This framework will state exactly what accommodations a school must provide for a dyslexic pupil under standard SEN Support. This might include assistive technology, extra time in tasks, or small-group phonics intervention.

2. A Simpler EHCP Process

For children with more complex needs—such as dyslexia combined with dyspraxia, ADHD, or severe speech and language difficulties—an EHCP may still be necessary.

The consultation proposes template EHCPs that are digital, shorter, and easier to understand. The goal is to reduce the time local authorities take to process applications, meaning families get decisions much faster.

If you are currently trying to navigate what your local area must provide, our article on How to use your local authority's 'Local Offer' for dyslexia support can help you find existing resources while these reforms are being debated.

What This Means for Your Child's Daily School Life

If these proposals become law, you should see a shift in how your child's school talks about reading.

Instead of waiting for a formal diagnosis of dyslexia—which can cost thousands of pounds privately or take years on a school waiting list—schools will be expected to support the needs of the child immediately. If a child cannot decode words, they receive decoding support. It is that simple.

This shift is designed to reduce the school avoidance and anxiety that builds up when children feel lost in the classroom. If your child is currently struggling with this, you may find our guide on When reading anxiety leads to school avoidance: A guide for parents helpful for working with your school tomorrow morning.

We also know that structured practice at home makes a massive difference. While schools work through these funding and policy changes, tools like our app, Lexy, can offer consistent, stress-free phonics practice. Lexy is built on multisensory, structured literacy principles to help your child build reading confidence at their own pace, without any pressure.

How Parents Can Have Their Say in the Consultation Process

This is not a done deal yet. The government is actively asking for your feedback on these proposals.

As a parent, your voice is incredibly important. You know exactly what it feels like to navigate the current system. You know the frustration of waiting for support and the joy when a teacher finally 'gets' your child.

You can read the full documents and respond to the consultation directly through the official GOV.UK portal.

When responding, you might want to think about these questions:

• Does the proposed school-level support cover the specific tools your child needs, like speech-to-text software or structured phonics?
• Is the proposed timeline for early identification realistic for busy primary school classrooms?
• Will teachers receive enough funding and training to actually deliver these promises?

By taking twenty minutes to fill out the consultation, you can help shape a fairer, calmer, and more supportive school system for dyslexic children across the country.