The government is to provide councils with more money to successfully establish special educational needs and disabilities (SEND) reforms. An additional £31.7 million has been earmarked for local authorities to make this happen over the next two years.

Edward Timpson, children and families minister, said that these changes will “put children and parents at the heart of the system”. He described the overhaul as being part of a long journey to deliver “simpler, improved and consistent help”.

“Local councils have made a strong start in implementing these life-changing reforms, but we want to give them more help to take delivery to the next level,” Mr Timpson said.

“The timescale has always been for them to bring children into the new system over the next three years - this extra money will help them to do that.”

After making the announcement, the MP called on Ofsted to formally assess how local authorities are responding to the changes and gauge whether or not they are “fulfilling their duties”.

These inspections will be done alongside the Care Quality Commission, as well as a local authority officer.

There are approximately one in five children in England classed as SEND. These reforms are an acknowledgement that historically, provision has not been as effective or detailed as it should be.

The Department for Education said that the reforms will ensure that this is the case and that, as Mr Timpson outlined, young people and their parents will have even greater power to shape the support they receive.

Underpinning these changes is the SEND Code of Practice, which extends from birth to 25 years of age.

The statutory guidance is aimed at all organisations - not just schools - that work with and support SEND children and young people.

It is considered a “vital” document in helping the government achieve its vision that all children, irrespective of being SEND or not, “achieve well in their early years”, throughout the education system as a whole and beyond.

In collaboration with Mencap, the DfE has also published simplified guidelines aimed at SEND children and young people, as well as their parents.

Dean Meuleman, who works at Mencap and has a learning difficulty, explained that this easy to read document is an effective way of making information accessible.

It uses simple words, short sentences, bullet points and pictures,” he continued. “All these things help people with a learning disability understand important information.

“It can make a real difference to people’s lives. The changes to the law on SEND will affect parents and young people with a learning disability. They have a right to understand these changes and how they will impact them directly.”

One of the key changes that has come about as a result of these reforms is the extension of help on offer - children and young people and their parents will now be supported for a much longer time.

Additionally, the government explains that target demographics should now be asked about the kind of support they wish to receive, as well as identifying earlier, where possible, their future ambitions.

Other notable changes includes the requirement that councils and health services work more closely with one another to ensure that services aimed at SEND children and young people are “jointly planned and commissioned”.

“The new system will extend rights and protection to young people by introducing a new birth to 25 education, health and care plan,” the DfE stated in an official press release.

“Professionals will also provide more tailored support to families, giving them the help and assistance they need.”