Understanding SEND Reform

Every Child Achieving and Thriving

In February 2026, the government published the Every Child Achieving and Thriving White Paper. It sets out a vision for how children and young people should be supported to achieve, belong and thrive in their education and wider lives.

The White Paper focuses on creating a more inclusive, joined-up system, where education, health and care services work together to support children and families more effectively.

What this means for children and families

• A stronger focus on helping every child to achieve and thrive

• Support that is joined up across education, health and care

• Families being actively involved in decisions about their child

• Help that is provided early, clearly and consistently

• Greater focus on inclusion, belonging and wellbeing

Working together for better support

The White Paper highlights the importance of joined-up working across services, so families do not have to repeat their story and can access the right support at the right time.

Find out more

You can read the full Every Child Achieving and Thriving White Paper here:

• Every child achieving and thriving (HTML version) [External Link]

• Every child achieving and thriving (Easy Read version) [External Link]

We will continue to update this page with local information, support services and opportunities for parents and carers to share their views.

Further information

For more information about SEND reform, read the Department for Education (DfE) information sheets.

For more information on how this is impacting locally, see Sutton's SEND Reform Plan