Pulse survey shows educators have concerns reforms will make accessing SEND services harder

August 6, 2026

Author: Georgina Durrant (UK)

National Inclusion Lead, Former teacher/SENDCO, Published Author, Speaker and Podcaster.

Following the release of the UK Government's Schools White Paper this week, a ‘pulse’ survey amongst educators by EdTech publisher Twinkl has found that only 8% of respondents believed the proposals would make it easier to access SEND support.

The White Paper, which outlined a proposed £4bn overhaul of SEND support in England – including earlier intervention, increased inclusion within mainstream schools, and the tightening of access to EHCPs – has seemingly failed to convince educators of its merit so far, with 32% of survey respondents stating that they believed the new reforms will actually make accessing SEND services and support harder, with a further 22% thinking it’ll make no difference, and 38% feeling unsure.

Over half (55%) of respondents felt the announced reforms would also not make it any easier to meet the needs of learners with SEND at their school, although 15% were confident that it would. The remaining 29% were unsure either way.

This concern is unsurprising considering that 60% of respondents said that their school had previously struggled to provide adequate SEND support for a child or young person, with the hope clearly being that this would improve once the reforms were announced.

Overall, the current feeling arising from the pulse survey is one of uncertainty – perhaps fuelled by a perceived lack of detail in what was shared, or just a need to take more time to digest the information that was provided. It is clear that questions remain, with 50% of respondents saying that they were unsure if they agreed with what was shared in the White Paper, 35% being clear that they didn’t, and the remaining 15% stating that they did.

Whilst many educators recognise the value of earlier intervention and improved consistency in SEND identification, it would appear that, for now at least, concerns remain as to how the reforms will be delivered in practice.