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RUTLAND SEND PARENT & CARER OPINION SURVEY

Proposed UK Government SEND Reforms: "Every Child Achieving and Thriving"

This year the Government launched their White Paper detailing SEND Reforms for education in England. The white paper, "Every Child Achieving and Thriving," proposes big shifts in SEND provision, from digital Individual Support Plans to new primary-to-secondary transition rules. As a parent or carer of a child with SEND, your lived experience is really valuable.

By sharing your thoughts in this brief survey, you can help us build a clear, honest picture of how these proposed reforms feel on the ground. Your voice ensures schools, local leaders, and policymakers understand your everyday realities, helping to shape safer, fairer, and truly inclusive futures for our children.
1.What is the current school stage of your SEND child/children:(Required.)
2.CURRENT LEVEL OF SUPPORT:(Required.)
SECTION 1: AWARENESS & COMPREHENSION OF REFORMS
3.How familiar are you with the government’s proposed SEND reforms outlined in the "Every Child Achieving and Thriving" paper?(Required.)
Very familiar (I have read detailed proposals)
Somewhat familiar (I have heard about them via news/school)
Slightly familiar (I know the title, but not details)
Not at all familiar (This is the first time hearing of it)
4.The proposal introduces a statutory digital "Individual Support Plan" (ISP) and a 3-tiered model of support (Targeted, Targeted Plus, Specialist). How clearly have these changes been explained?(Required.)
5.Which of the following core proposals do you feel you understand well? (Select all that apply)(Required.)
6.Based on your understanding of the "Experts at Hand" provision being proposed in the White Paper, please mark each of the following statements as True or False:(Required.)
True
False
”Experts at Hand" teams are designed to up-skill classroom teachers and SENCOs so they can adapt learning and spot needs earlier.
Assigning an "Experts at Hand" specialist to a school means individual pupils with mild-to-moderate needs will automatically receive dedicated 1:1 therapy sessions.
The primary focus of the provision is system and setting level support rather than delivering individual therapeutic casework.
SECTION 2: RELATIONSHIP WITH YOUR CHILD’S SCHOOL
7.The white paper aims to establish stronger home-to-school partnerships. How do you believe this will affect your working relationship with your child’s school?(Required.)
8.Under the proposed model, schools will co-produce digital Individual Support Plans (ISPs) directly with parents. How confident are you that your child's school will meaningfully include your voice in these plans?(Required.)
9.Do you believe your child's school currently has the staff capacity, resources, and funding required to deliver the proposed inclusion expectations effectively?(Required.)
SECTION 3: PRIMARY TO SECONDARY SCHOOL TRANSITION
10.From 2029, children with EHCPs face reassessment against new thresholds at transition. How concerned are you about your child maintaining statutory support when moving to secondary school?(Required.)
11.Secondary schools will be expected to establish dedicated SEND Inclusion Bases. Do you believe these spaces will make mainstream secondary transition a viable option for your child?(Required.)
12.Digital ISPs are designed to transfer seamlessly between schools. How confident are you that primary and secondary schools will effectively collaborate and share these plans?(Required.)
SECTION 4: ANTICIPATED OUTCOMES & PRIORITIES
13.How much do you agree that early identification of need and mandatory universal SEND training for teachers will lead to better day-to-day classroom support for my child:(Required.)
14.Overall, how do you believe the proposed changes will impact your child’s educational and emotional outcomes over the next 3–5 years?(Required.)
15.What is your main area of concern regarding implementation of the SEND Reforms? (Select up to two)(Required.)
16.What single most important change or protection do you want prioritised as these SEND reforms are implemented?