Special educational needs and disabilities (SEND) reforms will be legislated through the “Education for All” Bill, the King’s Speech has confirmed.

King Charles told Parliament on May 13 that government ministers “believe that every child deserves the chance to succeed to the best of his or her ability and not be held back due to poverty, special educational needs, or a lack of respect for vocational education”.

He added: “A Bill will be brought forward to raise standards in schools and introduce generational reforms of the special educational needs system [Education for All Bill].”

The Bill will be subject to the outcome of the Department of Education’s consultation on the proposed reforms.

Plans include improving inclusion for children with special needs within mainstream schools, and new restrictions to qualify for the highest tier of support, an education, health and care plan (EHCP), from 2030.

There will also be "targeted", "targeted plus" and "specialist" layers of support, as well as new national inclusion standards.

The deadline for parents and carers to respond to the consultation closed on May 18.

Sector reaction

Reacting to the news, the education sector and disability advocates welcomed plans for reform but warned that successful implementation will be reliant on funding and dependent on workforce capacity to provide the new support envisioned.

Pepe Di’Iasio, general secretary of the Association of School and College Leaders, said: “The planned Send reforms are certainly necessary and seem sensible, but they constitute a huge ask on mainstream schools to expand existing provision and implement training on a massive scale.

“The government does need to be careful about the workload and mental health impact on leaders and teachers. There is already a wellbeing crisis in the education workforce with sky-high levels of stress and anxiety, and it will be very difficult to implement any reforms successfully if education staff are broken under the weight of too many expectations.”

Harriet Edwards, Director of Influencing at the national disability charity Sense, added that the government’s commitment to deliver the desperately needed reforms is welcomed, as this is a once-in-a-generation opportunity to fix a system that is failing 1.7 million children across the country.

But she warned: “Those changes must improve children’s life chances, not weaken them further. The government must ensure these new laws strengthen – not dilute – every disabled child’s legal right to education. Families who are already exhausted should no longer be forced to fight at every stage for the support their children need. A joined-up, properly funded workforce is also essential to delivering meaningful change. If the government fails to listen to disabled families and act boldly now, this opportunity to transform young lives will be lost, and another generation of disabled children will be left behind. That must not happen.”

Survey findings

Meanwhile, nine in 10 school and trust leaders believe the government's proposed SEND reforms will add to their workload, according to new research.

Law firm Browne Jacobson's spring 2026 School Leaders Survey found 76% of respondents expect a significant workload increase under proposals published in the Department for Education's Schools white paper, which would largely shift responsibility for SEND provision from local authorities to schools. Thirteen percent believe there will be a slight increase.

Funding concerns are widespread, with 68% of leaders doubting the government's combined £11bn commitment for SEND support will be sufficient, and only 3% believing it is enough to deliver the reforms in practice.

Opinion on the changes is divided. Of the 130 leaders representing more than 1,000 schools that responded to the survey, 54% hold some or serious concerns, while 25% are broadly supportive.

Philip Wood, Partner at Browne Jacobson, said leaders were ‘prepared’ to take on a greater role but needed adequate government funding to make it work.

Separately, just 4% of respondents believe the government's ambition for every school to join a trust is highly achievable, with governing boards' reluctance to cede autonomy and concerns over loss of school identity cited as the biggest barriers.

Timms Review

King Charles also used his speech to provide an update on the Timms Review, the first-ever full review of the Personal Independence Payment (PIP) since its introduction in 2013. 

He said the government will respond to the review and continue to reform the welfare system to support young and disabled people in flourishing at work, as the basis for long-term economic security.

During Naidex 2026, Sir Stephen Timms, co-chair of the review’s steering group, outlined details of a call for evidence, which closes on May 28, to enable people with disabilities and long-term health conditions, to share their experiences of PIP.

Evidence gathered will inform the group’s final recommendations, due to be published in the autumn, with the aim of ensuring PIP is fair, effective and fit for the future.