Ministers will stop short of completely abolishing care plans for children with special educational needs and disabilities (SEND) under forthcoming reforms, despite wider concerns in Whitehall over the cost .

Bridget Phillipson is expected to rule out scrapping Education Health and Care Plans (EHCPs) entirely when she sets out her reforms in the New Year, but with the intention that they will eventually only apply to those with most complex needs.

Officials believe that once the Government’s reforms bed into the system, the need for EHCPs will be dramatically reduced as children with additional needs will be picked up far earlier and given the necessary support.

It comes after ministers announced last week that councils will have a dedicated SEND practitioner in new Best Start Fami

See Full Page