A SEND Tribunal Officer's View on Reform and What Needs To Change for the Schools White Paper To Succeed

In this blog, you will learn:

• Why this SEND Tribunal Officer believes the success of the schools white paper will ultimately depend on funding, workforce capacity and realistic implementation rather than ambition alone.
• What needs to change for the government's plans on inclusion to succeed and effectively support increasingly complex needs, according to a SEND Tribunal Officer we spoke to.
• How to find and apply for the best SEND Tribunal Officer jobs.

The Schools White Paper, released in February 2026, sets out plans to reform the SEND system and respond to rising pressure on families, schools and local authorities.

Despite the white paper being over 100 pages long, many questions remain. How realistic are the government’s plans to streamline SEND processes and strengthen mainstream inclusion? Can these reforms succeed without clear guarantees on funding and workforce capacity?

To explore further, we spoke to SEND Tribunal Officer Beverley, who has over 25 years of experience in the sector. Beverley offers a frontline view of the system, from tribunal pressures to gaps in mainstream provision.

In this interview, Beverley shares her insight into the challenges of delivering truly inclusive mainstream education and what meaningful reform would require.

What are your initial thoughts on the schools white paper and the direction it sets for the future of SEND provision?

The Schools White Paper sets out an ambitious and broadly positive vision for reforming SEND provision, which I think is radically needed.

The focus on reducing adversarial processes, strengthening mainstream inclusion and improving accountability is definitely needed. However, the success of these reforms will depend heavily on sufficient funding, workforce capacity and realistic implementation timelines.

The government proposes digitising EHCP processes and creating a more streamlined system. How realistic do you think this is in practice?

Digitising EHCP processes is a logical and well-needed change, especially in improving transparency, data sharing and efficiency between education, health and care partners. It could reduce delays and administrative burdens for families and professionals.

However, in practice, there are significant risks. Many local authorities already struggle with outdated systems, workforce shortages and inconsistent digital infrastructure. 

To be successful, digitisation must be accompanied by proper training, national standards and safeguards to ensure it improves outcomes rather than simply speeding up flawed processes.

Do you think mainstream settings are currently equipped to meet the government's plans to improve inclusion and accessibility?

At present, most mainstream settings are not fully equipped to meet the government’s ambitions for improved inclusion. While there are strong commitments from most schools, many lack the specialist training, resources and access to external support needed to meet increasingly complex needs.

For meaningful change, there needs to be sustained investment in staff training, clearer accountability for inclusion and improved access to specialist services.

The government wants all schools to join or form Multi-Academy Trusts. How might this structural change impact SEND delivery at a local level?

The move towards universal Multi-Academy Trust membership could offer opportunities for greater consistency, shared expertise and economies of scale in SEND provision. However, there are risks at a local level.

Centralised decision-making may weaken relationships with local authorities and health services. There is a danger that SEND priorities could become secondary to financial or performance pressures.

Do you feel the schools white paper adequately addresses current workforce pressures within schools and local authorities?

The white paper acknowledges workforce pressures but does not go far enough in offering concrete solutions. Without a clear national workforce strategy, including pay, training pathways and workload reduction, reforms risk placing additional strain on an already overstretched system.

How will early intervention plans and Alternative Provision reforms reduce demand for EHCPs and tribunal appeals over the long term?

The focus on early intervention and strengthened alternative provision has the potential to reduce demand for EHCPs and tribunal appeals over time by addressing needs earlier and more effectively. However, this will only happen if early support is genuinely available, well-funded and trusted by families.

How do you think the white paper’s ambition for every child to ‘achieve and thrive’ could be realistically achieved in practice?

The ambition for every child to achieve and thrive is commendable, but it must be grounded in realism. Achieving this in practice will require joined-up services, consistent quality across regions and long-term investments rather than short-term policy cycles.

The schools white paper highlights improving attendance and reducing persistent absence for children with SEND. What challenges might schools and local authorities face when putting these proposals into practice?

Improving attendance for children with SEND is an important goal, but it presents significant challenges. Many attendance issues are linked to unmet needs, anxiety, health conditions or a lack of appropriate provision. Without addressing these root causes, attendance-focused measures risk being punitive rather than supportive.

What elements of the schools white paper surprised you the most?

One of the most surprising elements of the white paper is the scale of structural change proposed. It is paired with an expectation of improved outcomes, without clear assurances on funding and workforce capacity. The confidence that system reform alone can resolve deeply embedded issues may underestimate the complexity of SEND provision.

What elements of the schools white paper do you think are most at risk of failing?

The elements most at risk of failing are those that rely on significant cultural and workforce change without sufficient resources, particularly mainstream inclusion and early intervention.

Key vulnerabilities include practical implementation challenges, workforce capacity constraints and insufficient funding. Success will depend heavily on sufficient funding to support improved inclusion, accountability measures and system reform. Without adequate, sustained investments, local authorities and schools may struggle to meet these expectations.

Workforce capacity constraints will require a robust, adequately trained workforce. Current shortages across education, health and care create a significant risk that implementation will lag or underperform.

Looking ahead, what do you think will be the most successful element of the schools white paper?

I think the most successful element of the white paper is likely to be the move toward greater consistency, clarity and system-wide coherence in SEND processes. 

The reforms set out a clear ambition to reduce variation between local areas, streamline decision-making and make the system more predictable for families. This is both necessary and achievable. More streamlined decision-making and a better system should also help make mainstream settings more inclusive by ensuring they have the resources they urgently need.

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