SEND Education Reforms

October 2025

This Autumn we are expecting the government to set the policy direction for long awaited reform of the Special Educational Needs and Disabilities (SEND) system. This will be set out in the Schools White Paper, alongside the Post-16 and Skills White Paper and in the government’s response to the Curriculum and Assessment review. We’ll work to unpack what these changes mean for blind and partially sighted students – at the heart of this is making sure their voices are heard so that the barriers they face are tackled head-on.

We welcome the commitment to reforming SEND provision; however, we are concerned that the distinctive needs of children and young people (CYP) with low-incidence, high-need disabilities such as vision impairment (VI) risk being overlooked. Education settings often lack specific expertise and the established approaches needed to support these children and young people effectively, meaning a one size fits all policy risks leaving them behind.

For blind and partially sighted CYP solutions must: 

• Embed the Curriculum Framework for Children and Young People with a Vision Impairment in education policy to guarantee access for all.
• Include adequate ringfenced funding for statutory VI services in further education and to ensure there is accountability within the system for local authorities to deliver. 
• Remove the arbitrary use of Education Health and Care Plans (EHCPs) for blind and partially sighted young people to access VI support in mainstream further education colleges.
• Include a strategy for mainstream and assistive technology.
• Strengthen the ‘Preparing for Adulthood’ process to ensure positive transitions occur for blind and partially sighted CYP.

All blind and partially sighted CYP should have access to the education they need to thrive. Crucially, the education delivered should be inclusive, promote choice, limit bureaucracy, promote partnership working and prepare CYP for adulthood. We will be looking to support reforms that strengthen the support that is ordinarily available through setting inclusive practices and SEN support with greater accountability to ensure settings deliver.

SEND reforms are urgently needed, and they must fully consider the needs of blind and partially sighted CYP. These reforms should strengthen support and remove barriers, not weaken the protections currently in place.

Evidence is everything. If you’ve got examples of what’s working, or what’s not, please reach out. Case studies, young people or professionals we should be speaking to… we’re all ears. Contact us at: EducationPolicy@Pocklington.org.uk.