As the shape and timing of SEND reform continue to evolve, many councils are taking a strategic, future-ready path: strengthening the foundations of their current systems. This proactive focus is not just about being ready for what comes next – it is also about improving day-to-day experiences and outcomes for the children and families who rely on these services now, while creating a strong springboard to adopt reforms quickly when they land.

The system doesn’t stand still

Even while policy development continues, the day-to-day reality of SEND remains much the same.

Requests for EHCPs continue to rise. Teams remain under pressure to meet statutory timescales. Families and schools quite rightly expect clarity, consistency and fairness. And councils continue to balance growing demand with finite resources.

In that context, the system each authority is running today is not a temporary holding arrangement. It is the system children and young people are experiencing right now.

Using this period well

In our work with councils across the country, we are seeing a growing number use this period not to speculate about future frameworks, but to focus on practical, constructive improvements that will be valuable whatever direction reform eventually takes.

In particular, three themes come up again and again:

• Improving the quality and consistency of EHCPs and decision making
• Building a clearer understanding of their SEND cohort and current patterns of need and top-up funding
• Reducing repeat panels, rework on EHCPs, and avoidable back-and-forth between teams and schools

None of these require final policy decisions. All of them make services more resilient, more transparent and easier to run.

Progress does not have to mean big change

One of the most common concerns we hear from senior leaders and finance colleagues is the risk of committing to big changes.

That is a sensible concern. But progress does not have to mean wholesale change.

Many councils are taking a deliberately phased, low-risk approach. Councils can start small and focus on today’s problems. Build evidence and confidence and decide next steps later.

In practice, that might mean using the first phase simply to focus on any of the following:

• Understanding the current quality of EHCPs and where targeted improvement will make the most difference
• Establishing a clear, consistent and system-wide view of needs across all pupils with EHCPs
• Understand where funding does not match need, and prioritise those cases for review
• Reduce pressure on teams through better tools and processes

For councils, year one of working with our SEND experts is primarily about understanding and stabilising, not implementing new funding models or committing to long-term structural change.

From pressure to control, gradually

Over time, these kinds of improvements start to change the character of the system itself.

Teams spend less time firefighting and more time working consistently. Leaders have better visibility of patterns and pressures. Decisions become easier to explain and more predictable in their outcomes.

In short, the service becomes easier to manage, govern and improve.

This is not a dramatic transformation. It is a realistic, easily manageable and steady shift towards a system that feels more in control and less reactive.

Being ready, rather than waiting

When reform does arrive, it will inevitably favour authorities who already have:

• A clear understanding of their cohort
• Good quality, consistent plans
• Transparent and defensible decision making
• Reliable data to support planning and modelling

These are not “reform-specific” capabilities. They are simply the foundations of a well-run SEND system.

Strengthening them now is less about anticipating policy – it’s about running a responsible, well-governed, well-managed service for children and families now.

A moment for thoughtful leadership

This period of uncertainty is not just something to be endured. It can also be used well.

Many of the most effective SEND leaders we work with are using it to:

• Invest in the basics
• Reduce friction in the system
• Build confidence and consistency
• And create a stronger platform for whatever comes next

Above all, they are doing this while keeping today’s children and families outcomes firmly in mind.