SEND Snapshots

Summary of the New Government White Paper

The government’s 2026 whitepaper, "Every Child Achieving and Thriving," introduces a major overhaul of the Special Educational Needs and Disabilities (SEND) system.

The goal is to move away from a "fight for support" and toward a system where help is provided early and automatically within your child's school.

1. A New "Layered" Support System

Instead of just "SEN Support" or an "EHCP," there will now be four clear levels of help. Most children will have their needs met through the first two levels without needing a long assessment.

• Universal: High-quality, inclusive teaching in every classroom (e.g., calm environments, clear routines).

• Targeted: Small group help, such as speech and language sessions or sensory support.

• Targeted Plus: Direct help from visiting specialists like Educational Psychologists or Therapists

• Specialist: For children with the most complex needs, providing an EHCP and a specific "Specialist Provision Package."

2. Individual Support Plans (ISPs)

The biggest change for most families is the introduction of the ISP.

• What it is: A digital record of exactly what help your child is getting every day.

• Your Access: Unlike old school records, you will have a login to see this plan. It’s designed to be a "live" document that you, the teachers, and specialists all use to stay on the same page.

• Legally Backed: Schools have a legal duty to keep these updated and to deliver the support listed inside them.

3. More "Experts at Hand" in Schools

The government is investing billions to bring specialists into schools.

• Instead of waiting months for an external referral, schools will have easier access to Speech and Language Therapists and Educational Psychologists who will work directly in the building.

• Inclusion Bases: Many mainstream schools will open dedicated "Inclusion Bases", calm spaces where children can go for specific interventions or to regulate their emotions.

4. What happens to EHCPs?

• They are NOT being scrapped. Education, Health, and Care Plans (EHCPs) will remain for children with the most complex needs.

• Going Digital: New EHCPs will be digital and standardised across the whole country, so if you move house, the support doesn't have to be "re-negotiated" with a new council.

• Phased Change: If your child already has an EHCP, nothing changes right now. The transition to the new digital versions won't start until 2030 for most pupils.

Supporting Learning at Home: Small Steps, Big Progress

Helping a child with cognition and learning needs with academic work, like reading, writing, and math, can sometimes feel like a hurdle. However, supporting their learning at home doesn't mean recreating a strict classroom environment. By adapting how we approach learning, we can reduce anxiety, prevent cognitive overload, and help children retain what they are learning. Here are three practical ways to support their academic progress at home:

1. Ditch the Worksheets, Use "Concrete" Objects

Children with learning needs often struggle with abstract concepts (like numbers on a page or spelling lists). Making learning physical and tactile locks the information into their brains much faster.

• For Math: Use real objects for counting and adding. Use pasta pieces, Lego, or buttons to solve a math problem. Seeing and moving £5 + £3 physically makes the concept real.

• For Phonics & Spelling: Write letters or words in a tray of shaving foam, salt, or sand. Tracing letters with a finger engages muscle memory, which aids spelling recall.

2. Keep Tasks "Short and Frequent"

Memory and attention span can be major barriers to academic learning. Long homework sessions often lead to frustration and fatigue.

• The 5-Minute Blast: Instead of a 20-minute struggle over a book or homework sheet, break it into tiny, bite-sized bursts. Do 5 minutes of reading in the morning, 5 minutes after school, and 5 minutes before bed.

• The total time is the same, but the brain stays fresh, and you avoid the "meltdown zone."

3. Use the "I Do, We Do, You Do" Method

When introducing a new academic task (like a new homework sheet or writing a sentence), don't expect them to dive straight in. Instead, scaffolding the task builds their confidence:

• I Do: You do the first question or write the first word out loud while they watch.

• We Do: You do the second one together, guiding their hand or prompting them.

• You Do: Only when they feel secure do you let them try the next one independently.

A Quick Tip on Praise: Focus your praise on effort rather than the final score. Saying "I love how hard you tried to spell that word" builds resilience, which is the ultimate tool for a child with learning needs.

Managing Big Emotions: A 3-Step Guide for Home

When a child is experiencing intense dysregulation, whether it looks like a meltdown, shutting down, or shouting, their brain is temporarily in "survival mode." During these moments, they cannot access logic or reason.

Here are three steps you can use at home to help them navigate these challenging waves of emotion:

1. Co-Regulate First (Be the Anchor)

Before we can help a child calm down, we have to check in with our own energy. Dysregulation is contagious, but fortunately, so is calm. If we match their chaos with anger or lecture them in the moment, their nervous system perceives further threat.

• What to do: Take a deep breath. Lower your posture to their eye level. Speak in a calm, slowed, and quiet voice.

• What to say: Sometimes saying nothing and just being a quiet, safe presence is the most powerful tool.

2. Validate the Feeling, Limit the Behavior

Children need to know that all feelings are okay, even if all behaviors are not. Acknowledging their emotional reality doesn't mean you are spoiling them or agreeing with a bad choice, it just lets them know they are heard.

• What to do: Separate the emotion from the action. Name the feeling you see to help their build emotional literacy.

• What to say: "You are really furious that screen time is over, and it's okay to feel mad. But it is not okay to throw the remote. I’m going to put it up here to keep us safe."

3. Connect and Reflect (After the Storm)

Never try to teach a lesson while the storm is raging. The brain cannot learn when it is flooded with stress hormones. Wait until your child is completely calm, smiling, or back to their usual activities before discussing what happened.

• What to do: Approach the reflection with curiosity rather than shame. Work together to find a solution for next time.

• What to say: "Your body was having a really hard time earlier. What do you think we can do next time you feel that mad feeling creeping in? Should we try the breathing ball or squeezing a pillow?"

A Quick Reminder for Parents: Cultivating emotional regulation is a marathon, not a sprint. If you lose your cool, don't despair, apologising to your child afterward is actually a wonderful way to model how to repair a relationship!

Inclusive Summer Fun in Torbay: Your Ultimate Guide  

Finding the right summer activities for children with Special Educational Needs and Disabilities can often feel like a full-time job. You want places where your child is not just "tolerated," but genuinely understood, celebrated, and set up to have an absolute blast.

If you are navigating the summer holidays in Torbay with a child aged 5 to 11, there are some fantastic, dedicated provisions and inclusive spaces designed to make the break fun for them and a little less stressful for you.

Here is a curated guide to the best SEND-friendly clubs, activities, and playgrounds across Torquay, Paignton, and Brixham this summer.

1. Specialist SEND Holiday Clubs (HAF Programme)

Torbay Council’s Healthy Holidays (HAF) programme partners with fantastic local organizations to provide free sessions (which include a nutritious hot meal) for children eligible for benefits-related free school meals or electively home-educated children. Many of these also offer paid spaces for families who don't meet the free criteria.

• Taleblazers (Paignton): Based at Parkfield House, they run a brilliant, nature-focused, SEND-friendly holiday club for children who thrive in the outdoors. It is perfect for kids who love exploring, building, and green spaces.

• Turning Heads (Torquay): Operating from their Skills Centre, they are a highly respected, specialist SEND provider. Their sessions are tailored to accommodate a wide range of physical, sensory, and learning needs with incredibly supportive staff.

• Play Torbay (Brixham & Paignton): Torbay Council funds Play Torbay to run inclusive play clubs specifically for neurodiverse and SEND children. They focus heavily on child-led, adventurous play.

2. Accessible Parks & Sensory Playgrounds

Sometimes structured clubs are too much, and you just need a safe space to let off steam at your own pace. Torbay has two standout play parks with excellent accessibility:

Mayfield Playpark (Torquay)

Located at Mayfield School, this specialized playground opens to families during the school holidays. It is specifically designed with disabled access in mind.

• What makes it great: It features a wheelchair-friendly roundabout, a wheelchair-accessible swing, and ramped play equipment, ensuring children with physical disabilities can play right alongside their peers.

Indigos Go Wild & Wild Fox (Brixham & Paignton)

Run by Play Torbay, these adventure playgrounds are highly inclusive. They offer loose-parts play, den building, and campfire cooking. The staff are trained in inclusive play, making it a welcoming environment for neurodivergent children who need a sensory-rich, outdoor escape.

3. Inclusive Sports & Creative Arts

For children with specific interests, Torbay has a couple of fantastic, regular programs that adapt to different abilities:

• DAS Musical Theatre (Juniors): Run by Doorstep Arts at the Palace Theatre in Paignton, this drama and music group is for ages 7 to 11. They are incredibly welcoming and specialize in child-centered, inclusive performing arts where every child can participate at their own comfort level.

• Argyle Community Trust (PAFC) HAF: They run multi-activity and sports camps across Torbay (including Roselands and Cockington Primary Schools). They have dedicated coaches trained to support children with mild-to-moderate SEND needs in physical activities.

Pro Tip for Booking: Most Torbay HAF and specialist club bookings are managed through the online Eequ booking system. If your child has complex needs, it is highly recommended to message the provider directly through the platform before booking so they can discuss individual 1:1 support ratios or quiet spaces.