Update on Public Consultation

The public consultation, which closed on 22 May 2026, set out proposed reforms to classroom support for children and young people with special educational needs (SEN).

Over 3,000 responses have been received – with children, parents, carers, classroom assistants, teachers and school leaders among those giving their views.

Responses have included 2,942 submissions through the online Citizen Space platform. These showed:

• More than 78% of respondents via Citizen Space supported giving schools greater freedom to adapt support to individual pupils.
• Nearly 98% agreed classroom assistants should have greater opportunities to develop specialist skills.
• Over 96% of respondents via Citizen Space supported the inclusion of other professional staff, and new specialist roles within the support model.
• There was also clear recognition of the need for change, with more than 71% agreeing that reform of the current SEN classroom support model is a matter of urgency.

Tomas Adell, EA's Chief Transformation Officer, said: 

"We are grateful to everyone who took the time to respond to this consultation. The fact that over 3,000 people engaged in this consultation demonstrates how important this issue is to so many families, young people and the professionals that support them every day.

"We will carefully consider all responses as we shape the next steps. What is clear is that people want to see change that delivers better outcomes for children and young people with SEN.

"We will now analyse what we have heard and develop a model that harnesses the expertise of our teachers, SENCos and classroom assistants, brings in the right specialist support, and gives schools the flexibility to get the right help to children at the right time."

The EA will now undertake a detailed analysis of all the consultation responses to inform the next phase of development. Reforms are proposed to be phased in over a number of years, beginning with schools already operating alternative approaches.