The 'Every Child Achieving and Thriving' Education White Paper was published in February 2026, alongside a companion document 'SEND Reform: Putting Children and Young People First'. These introduce significant proposed changes including Individual Support Plans, a new three-tier support model, and Specialist Provision Packages. The law documented in this hub — the Children and Families Act 2014 and SEND Code of Practice 2015 — remains in full force until legislation and the updated Code are brought into effect. We will update each page as official text is published.
See our SEND Reform 2026 page for a full breakdown of what is changing and what still applies now.
SEND Law Hub
Know your rights. Hold them to account.
The actual law in plain English, with real world failure patterns, questions to ask, and copy paste lines you can use. Built for families who do not have time to read hundreds of pages.
Chapters covered
Age range
Last reviewed
White Paper published
What is this hub
The SEND Code of Practice 2015 is statutory guidance. Local authorities, schools, NHS bodies and social care must have regard to it. Most families never read it, and many professionals apply it badly. This hub turns each chapter into something usable.
The February 2026 Education White Paper proposes significant changes to how SEND support is structured. None of those changes are law yet. Every right, timescale and duty documented in this hub continues to apply in full. We document the reform proposals clearly so families understand what is coming — and can tell the difference between current law and future proposals.
Short extracts with references so you can quote them.
What it means day to day for your child.
Common failure patterns and tactics.
The Education White Paper has landed. Here is what it proposes, what it means for families, and what still applies right now.
Individual Support Plans Three-tier model Specialist Provision Packages
SEND Code of Practice 2015
All 11 chapters, broken down into actual text, plain English, and what to watch out for.
Principles
Participation, views, choice and inclusion. Start here.
Section 19 CFA 2014 Rights
Chapter 2Impartial information advice and support
IASS support, what it must provide, and how to access it.
Section 32 CFA 2014 IASS
Chapter 3Working together across education health and care
Joint commissioning and joined up duties.
Section 25 and 26 CFA 2014 Common failures
Chapter 4The local offer
What must be published and how to challenge a bad one.
Section 30 CFA 2014 Accountability
Chapter 5Early years providers
SEN support before school, identification and assessment routes.
Section 66 CFA 2014 0 to 5
Chapter 6Schools
Best endeavours, SEN support, SENCO duties, requesting assessment.
Section 66 to 69 CFA 2014 High impact
Chapter 7Further education
Rights at 16 plus, EHCP in college, transitions.
16 to 25 Provision
Chapter 8Preparing for adulthood
Year 9 duties, transitions, independence, health and care planning.
Transition Often missed
Chapter 9EHC needs assessments and plans
The 20 week process, section F, naming schools, reviews and ceasing.
Section 36 to 50 CFA 2014 Most critical
Chapter 10Children in specific circumstances
Looked after children, home education, alternative provision and more.
Specific groups
Chapter 11Resolving disagreements
Mediation, Tribunal, disability discrimination, and escalation routes.
Appeals Enforcement
Quick reference
Key timescales
- 6 weeks decision to assess after request
- 16 weeks draft plan target
- 20 weeks final plan deadline
- 15 days minimum to comment on draft plan
- 4 weeks decision after annual review meeting
- 2 months to appeal most EHCP decisions
- 1 month from mediation certificate if later
This resource is information, not legal advice. For advice about your situation, contact IPSEA, SOS SEN, or your local IASS service.