SEND reform · current status
Individual Support Plans: what schools know so far
The government has proposed digital Individual Support Plans as part of wider SEND reform in England. The direction is important; the final law, specification and implementation detail are not yet settled.
The proposed role
An ISP is described as the day-to-day plan—not a new name for every EHCP
Government proposals describe ISPs across targeted and specialist support. A pupil with an EHCP would also have an ISP setting out the practical support a setting will provide and how it will be delivered. EHCPs are proposed to remain for pupils who need specialist provision.
What the proposal currently says
- The government proposes a digital Individual Support Plan for children and young people receiving targeted, targeted plus or specialist support.
- The proposal describes information including identified barriers to learning, provision, reasonable adjustments and intended outcomes.
- Plans are proposed to be developed with parents and discussed with parents and young people.
- The consultation proposed review at least annually, with changes when needs change.
- Under the proposal, pupils with an EHCP would also have an ISP describing practical day-to-day delivery.
What remains open
- The final legislation, regulations and updated SEND Code of Practice.
- The final mandatory data fields, technical standard and interoperability requirements.
- How existing school plans and systems will migrate or connect.
- The precise implementation timetable for different settings and cohorts.
- What compliance, assurance or certification—if any—software suppliers will need.
Dated change log
From proposal to possible implementation
23 February 2026
Consultation published
The Department for Education published its SEND reform proposals, including digital ISPs.
Primary source ↗18 May 2026
Intention to legislate confirmed
The King’s Speech announcement confirmed an intended Education for All Bill. The government explicitly said this was not itself legislation.
Primary source ↗18 June 2026
Responses under review
A parliamentary answer said the 12-week consultation had closed and the department was considering responses.
Primary source ↗Not before September 2029
Proposed system change
Government consultation material says new legislation is not expected to come into effect before September 2029; current duties and rights remain meanwhile.
Primary source ↗
Useful preparation without premature compliance claims
Questions schools can ask now
Schools do not need to redesign processes around an unpublished specification. They can, however, understand where planning, provision, evidence and family involvement are fragmented today.
- 1Which existing plans, templates and systems already contain the information an ISP may need?
- 2Where does day-to-day provision become disconnected from outcomes and evidence?
- 3How are pupil and family views represented and kept current?
- 4Can information move safely when a pupil changes class, phase or setting?
- 5Who reviews the plan, who approves changes and how is the history preserved?
- 6What should remain flexible until the final specification and law are known?
Voyage and the proposed reform
Relevant foundations, without claiming compliance early
Voyage already brings person-centred profiles, EHCP-linked outcomes, goals, targets, provision context and learning evidence together. That may be relevant to a future ISP workflow—but there is no final specification against which Voyage, or any supplier, can yet claim certification or compliance.
Primary sources
This page prioritises the government consultation, government clarification and parliamentary material. We will revise it when the government response, legislation or implementation guidance changes the position.