SEND Reform and Access to Assessments: What It Means for Families and How Montrose Health Group Is Here to Help

When the government announced sweeping reforms to the SEND system in England, many parents felt a familiar knot in their stomachs. For years, families have navigated a complex pathway — requesting assessments, gathering reports, waiting months for decisions on Education, Health and Care Plans (EHCPs), and sometimes appealing refusals. Now, with eligibility thresholds tightening and more responsibility shifting to schools under reforms outlined by Education Secretary Bridget Phillipson, one question echoes across kitchen tables and parent support groups:

Will it become harder to get my child properly assessed?

For clinics delivering independent assessments, this reform is not simply policy news. It is a turning point. For many families, it is a moment to plan carefully and act thoughtfully.

The Reform: Fewer EHCPs, Higher Thresholds

Under the new direction of travel, EHCPs are expected to be reserved for the most complex and significant needs. Schools will play a greater role in identifying and supporting children through Individual Support Plans (ISPs), while statutory routes may become more selective.

For some families, this may mean fewer local authority-commissioned assessments. For others, it may mean longer waits or greater scrutiny before formal support is approved.

But one thing has not changed:

Decisions are still driven by evidence.

And this is where independent clinical assessment becomes pivotal.

Why Independent Assessments are Gaining Ground

As statutory pathways become more targeted, families are increasingly seeking clarity before entering the system, or when they feel concerns are not fully recognised.

Independent assessment now serves several important functions:

• Establishing clear diagnostic understanding of autism and ADHD

• Providing detailed, practical reports schools can use to shape provision

• Supporting EHCP applications with robust clinical evidence

• Strengthening cases at review or appeal

• Reducing the uncertainty prolonged waiting can create

In a system under financial and administrative pressure, early, high-quality assessment can significantly influence a child’s educational experience.

It is not simply about accessing a plan. It is about accessing understanding.

Inside Montrose Health Group

Since reform discussions began, Montrose Health Group has seen a steady rise in enquiries. Parents are not panicking but they are planning. What distinguishes our approach is a balance of clinical rigour and practical relevance.

Comprehensive Assessments

Our experienced clinicians use recognised diagnostic frameworks to ensure each evaluation is thorough and evidence-based. We look beyond labels to understand how a child learns, communicates and experiences their environment.

Reports That Work in the Real World

A diagnosis alone is rarely enough. Our reports are structured with schools and local authorities in mind: clear, detailed and actionable. As thresholds tighten, clarity becomes even more valuable.

Timely Access

NHS pathways can involve extended waiting periods. We prioritise responsive appointments without compromising quality. When a child is struggling now time is of the essence.

A Tailored, Human Approach

Families often arrive feeling anxious or unheard. Our assessments are designed to provide reassurance alongside answers.

Reform Refocuses Support

The aim of SEND reform is to promote earlier, school-based intervention and reduce conflict. Yet schools still rely on professional evidence to inform provision. Local authorities still require detailed assessments when determining plans.

If anything, as eligibility narrows, the quality and clarity of assessment may carry even greater weight. Families who approach conversations equipped with comprehensive, independent reports often find discussions more focused and constructive. Decisions become grounded in data rather than debate.

A Moment for Proactive Action

Policy change can create uncertainty — but it also creates opportunity.

For parents who have long suspected their child may need additional support, waiting for the system to settle may mean waiting longer than necessary.

Early assessment offers:

• Clear understanding

• Practical recommendations

• Stronger advocacy

• Confidence in next steps

  
  

As the SEND landscape evolves, Montrose Health Group remains a steady, evidence-based presence — helping families move from uncertainty to clarity. While frameworks may change, one constant remains: Children deserve to be properly understood, and families deserve clear answers.

In today’s SEND environment, clarity is not just helpful — it is empowering.