UK Government announces landmark SEND reform — What it means for aspiring Teaching Assistants

The UK Government has recently announced wholesale reforms to the Special Educational Needs and Disabilities (SEND) system in England, promising a “radical expansion of rights” for children with additional needs, and a major shift in how support is delivered in schools.

These changes, set out in the new Every Child Achieving and Thriving Schools White Paper, have significant implications for schools, families, and the education support workforce alike.

For unemployed residents in the UK considering careers in education support, such as teaching assistant or learning support roles, these reforms make understanding SEND practice more valuable than ever.

In this blog post, we review the changes to the SEND system that the UK Government has announced, and how this impacts those looking to secure entry-level roles in this sector.

What’s in the SEND reforms?

The Government’s plan centres on:

• Legally required Individual Support Plans (ISPs) for all pupils with SEND, meaning tailored support must be proactively provided in mainstream settings.
• Retaining Education, Health and Care Plans (EHCPs) for pupils with the most complex needs, while shifting many others to the new ISP framework.
• Targeted investment of £4 billion over three years to embed earlier help, build inclusive classrooms, and establish a nationwide “Experts at Hand” pool of specialists.
• Funding for SEND training for all school staff, a development that underlines the rising value of well-qualified support professionals.
  
  

Why this matters to aspiring support staff

For those looking to train for entry-level education support roles, these reforms signal several key trends:

• Elevated demand for inclusive practice

Schools will increasingly rely on staff who can adapt learning, support behaviour, and help implement Individual Support Plans — all skills covered in our Level 3 SEND Principles training.

• Training is a must-have

The Government’s emphasis on SEND training for all school staff means that candidates with recognised qualifications, especially in autism awareness and inclusive practice, will stand out in the job market.

• Greater collaboration with specialists

With the “Experts at Hand” service growing, support roles will involve liaising with a wider professional team, requiring confidence in SEND frameworks and communication skills.

• Legal rights and accountability

With charities like the National Autistic Society stressing clarity around legal protections and staff competence, schools may prioritise candidates who understand both the systems and the practical application of SEND policy.

From reform to real-world skills

The shift to a more inclusive, plan-driven SEND system means support staff are at the heart of implementing change. Our fully funded Level 3 SEND training course is designed to introduce the key principles of working in teaching assistant and education support roles to help equip learners to:

• Understand SEND frameworks and classroom strategies
• Learn what high-quality support looks like in mainstream education
• Communicate effectively with teachers, families, and specialists
• Translate policy into practice in everyday school settings

For unemployed learners aiming to enter education support, now is a pivotal moment to build credibility and confidence in a role that sits at the intersection of education, inclusion, and student wellbeing.