23/02/2026
Today, 23 February 2026, the Department for Education published its policy paper, ‘’Every child achieving and thriving’’. This White Paper sets out the Government’s long term vision for education reform in England over the coming decade.
It is a wide ranging document. It addresses early years provision, curriculum, attendance, disadvantage, teacher recruitment and retention, enrichment, and the role of schools within communities. For many families, the most significant sections will be those relating to inclusion and special educational needs and disabilities.
The paper states an ambition for more children with SEND to have their needs met within local mainstream schools, supported by highly trained teachers, leaders and support staff. It positions high standards and inclusion as reinforcing principles and speaks about rebuilding engagement with families who feel education has not worked for them.
It is important to be clear about what this means today. A White Paper is a policy document. It sets out proposals and direction of travel. It does not change the law. Any reform to statutory duties or legal rights would require consultation and legislation.
That means existing protections remain in place. Local authorities continue to be bound by their duties under the Children and Families Act 2014. Schools remain subject to their obligations under the Equality Act 2010. Rights relating to Education, Health and Care needs assessments and plans, and rights of appeal to the First tier Tribunal, are unchanged.
We know that announcements of reform can feel unsettling. For many families this is not abstract policy, it is personal. There has been partial information circulating in recent weeks, and uncertainty can feel heavy. As Polly Kerr, our Head of Education and Children’s Rights team has said, the most important message at this stage is one of kindness. Whilst the system considers proposals and next steps, children still need support, Local Authorities still carry responsibility, and many families are already exhausted.
At Simpson Millar, we care deeply about the families we work alongside. We see firsthand the resilience and determination involved in securing the right education for a child. Our Education and Children’s Rights team is busy working through the document in full, with careful consideration of what is being proposed and what it could mean in practice. We will share further, clear and legally accurate analysis once we have completed that detailed review.
If you would like to read the White Paper in full, you can access the HTML version here:
https://bit.ly/4s0QlcN
