Early years in the SEND White Paper: What families need to know
4 mins read
Tuesday 7 April 2026
This advice applies in England only.
Contact welcomes the government’s renewed focus on early years as central to SEND reform and better outcomes for children and families. We are particularly encouraged by the emphasis on prevention, inclusion and stronger transitions, especially into reception. For families of younger children, the impact of these reforms could be felt for years to come.
Last month the government also announced over 200 new Best Start Family Hubs across England, offering free services like parenting advice, infant feeding support, and help for children with SEND to ease cost-of-living pressures. Backed by over £900 million, the government plans to expand to 1,000 hubs and 2,000 community locations by 2028. The programme brings multiple services together in one place, helping families save money and access support more easily, building on the legacy of Sure Start. These hubs form an important part of the government’s wider early years reforms.
What does the White Paper say about early years?
Key points in the White Paper about early years include:
- A stronger focus on early years as the foundation for better outcomes
- Greater emphasis on prevention, inclusion and smoother transitions into reception
- The £200 million investment to fund SEND practitioners in Best Start Family Hubs, helping families access earlier, more joined-up support
- Proposals for early years EHCPs to carry forward into the primary phase, providing greater continuity of support
The Government has also signalled a commitment to ensure children and young people who need specialist support receive it more promptly, supported by £1.8 billion in “Experts at Hand” funding. Families need support in place early for toddlers and pre-schoolers with additional needs.
Where we think more clarity is needed
Contact would welcome greater clarity on how workforce plans will deliver earlier support, so parents are not left waiting for assessments or forced to choose between care they are not confident in and giving up work.
While the proposed fast-track route for children under five with complex needs is a positive step, more detail is needed on how this will work in practice, including:
- How eligibility for fast-track access to Specialist Support Packages will be determined
- How this pathway will enable quicker access to higher levels of support, without unnecessary funding or process barriers
- How decisions will be made jointly across health, education and local services.
There is also a clear focus on partnership working between early years settings and schools, alongside the introduction of minimum expectations around transitions. These should include parent voice, so that families of children with SEND—including those from under-represented communities—are actively involved in shaping how transition support works in practice.
The proposal to introduce digital Individual Support Plans in early years settings is also a helpful development, particularly if these are accessible to parents and bring together information from everyone supporting a child. However, more clarity is needed on how this will work in practice, given that most early years provision is delivered through private nurseries and childminders.
What families tell us
Families tell us that access to a suitable early years place remains a key concern and too many parents of children with additional needs struggle to find a nursery place or are offered reduced hours.
It will be important to understand how the reforms will improve sufficiency of places and ensure that children with SEND – whatever their learning difference or support they require- can access the right early education to help them thrive.
How to respond to the government’s consultation
The White Paper reforms offer real opportunities, but key details are still to be worked through. Contact encourages families of younger children to make their voices heard through the consultation and help shape how these changes are delivered.
You can respond to the government consultation individually. You can take part online. Or you can also respond to this consultation via email at [email protected], or by post to:
SENDAP Reform, Sanctuary Buildings, Great Smith Street, London, SW1P 3BT
The consultation closes on 11:59pm on 18 May 2026.