What does the SEND white paper mean for post-16 students in England?
4 mins read
Tuesday 14 April 2026
This advice applies in England only.
The SEND / schools white paper has a focus on improving outcomes for children and young people with special educational needs and disabilities (SEND). It highlights that, after they turn 16, young people with SEND are less likely to be in education, training or employment than their peers.
The proposals to address this set out in the white paper work alongside those already laid out in the post-16 education and skills white paper. Below, we explain what they are and what we think about them.
The publication of a white paper does not change existing SEND law. Your child’s legal rights to support remain in place.
What outcomes do the reforms aim to achieve?
The white paper’s broader proposals to provide an inclusive education, providing the right support when students need it, applies to all ages. Specialist further education (FE) colleges must deliver a stronger inclusive offer, alongside early years and school settings.
For young people, the proposals refer to:
- Better transition planning from school to college into post-16 education and into adulthood.
- Improving outcomes such as employment, training and apprenticeships and reducing NEET.
- More Department for Education (DfE) work to define what support young people without an education, health and care (EHC) plan need.
It notes that FE colleges may have different funding mechanisms, regulations and requirements, which may need a different approach.
What does Contact think?
The ambition to improve outcomes for young people with SEND to continue in education, training or towards employment is good.
But there is a lack of detail on how these improved outcomes might be achieved. We are concerned that the proposals are all framed for school settings. The proposals, including the plans for ISPs and EHC plans, need to work across all ages. There needs to be particular consideration of how the proposals will impact post-16 education, in particular:
- How would Experts at Hand work in a specialist post-16 setting?
- Will Specialist Provision Packages be age-appropriate for young people to enable goals around life skills, independence, further education and employability, not just school life?
Although EHC plans continue up to 25, they are for those with the most “complex” needs. This might limit the FE opportunities and funding available to a young person who no longer qualifies for an EHC plans under the reforms. It is positive that the reforms recognise the important role of specialist post-16 provision. But these reforms could lead to a gradual fade out of some specialist settings and courses if the funding isn’t there.
For all ages, the proposals include moving children onto the new SEND system at the point they transition from one phase of education to the next. This risks the support a student receives disappearing just at a point they might need it most. For post-16 education, support should bridge any transition to a new setting.
The proposal that local authorities provide a list of settings may bring particular challenges for post-16 students. Choices are already limited for this group. Placements may be further away from home, without the transport needed to get them there.
What is missing?
Transport is a huge concern for post-16 students, and something we have been campaigning on for some time. The challenge is simple: young people are expected to be in education or training until 18, but their rights to transport change at 16. If you cannot travel independently and cannot use public transport, how do you get to school or college?
How to respond to the consultation?
Many of the consultation questions will be relevant to post-16 education. Question 17 specifically refers to this age group:
Q17: How can we best support transition for young people with SEND, so that they are well supported into post-16 provision, including further education, higher education, training or employment?
You can respond to the government consultation individually. Do this by taking part online, or you ca respond 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.