Understanding the Latest SEND Changes – And the Crucial Role of Tutors
Recent changes to Special Educational Needs and Disabilities (SEND) provision in England are set to reshape the educational landscape for students, parents, and schools alike. As reforms unfold, families of children with SEND may feel uncertain about what these changes mean in practice — and how to ensure their child receives the support they need.
We believe that every child deserves to thrive, and Newman Tuition is proud to help make that happen.
In this blog, we’ll explore the new SEND developments and how our tutors can play a vital role in supporting students through this period of change.
Understanding the New SEND Changes
In early 2025, the Department for Education (DfE) began rolling out reforms from the SEND and Alternative Provision (AP) Improvement Plan. These changes aim to create a more consistent and inclusive system, improving outcomes for young people with SEND while reducing delays in receiving support.
Key updates include:
- New National Standards: A clearer, more consistent framework across local authorities to ensure that children with similar needs receive similar levels of support, regardless of where they live.
- Digital Education, Health and Care Plans (EHCPs): A new digital process to speed up and simplify EHCP applications, aiming to reduce the current backlog and waiting times.
- Earlier Identification and Intervention: A focus on identifying learning needs earlier, so that help can be provided before challenges escalate.
- Increased Training for Teachers and SENCOs: More funding and resources will be allocated for SEND training across mainstream settings.
What Does This Mean for Students?
While these reforms are designed to streamline and improve the SEND process, transitions can be challenging. Many families are still navigating existing delays or unclear local procedures. Some students may experience disruptions as new systems are introduced — especially those waiting for assessments, EHCP reviews, or specialist placements.
For students with dyslexia, autism, ADHD, sensory processing difficulties, or other needs, consistency and tailored support are crucial. This is where high-quality, individualised tuition becomes invaluable.
How Tutors Can Support Students with SEND
At Newman Tuition, many of our tutors are experienced in working with students with a wide range of additional needs. Our personalised, 1:1 approach means we can adapt teaching methods to suit the student’s learning style and emotional needs, building confidence and achieving academic progress.
Here are a few ways our tutors make a difference:
1. Providing Consistency Amid Change
Reforms take time to embed, but tutoring can offer stability and structure. For students facing changes in school provision or EHCP delays, tuition fills in the gaps and ensures learning stays on track.
2. Tailored Teaching Approaches
Our tutors adapt to the student’s pace, using multisensory strategies, visual aids, or structured routines where helpful. This flexibility is often difficult to achieve in a classroom environment.
3. Boosting Confidence and Independence
SEND students often struggle with self-esteem. One-to-one tuition provides a safe space to ask questions, make mistakes, and grow. Many of our families report significant improvements in both confidence and motivation.
4. Supporting Exam Preparation
Whether it’s SATs, GCSEs, or A-Levels, exam time can be daunting especially for students with SEND. Our tutors are skilled at breaking down revision into manageable steps and supporting with access arrangements where needed.
5. Working Collaboratively with Families and Schools
We maintain close communication with parents and where appropriate liaise with SENCOs to align tuition with a student’s school-based targets and support plans.
Looking Ahead
As the SEND reforms continue to roll out, one thing remains unchanged: the importance of personalised, compassionate support for every learner. Navigating change can be challenging, but Newman Tuition is here to help, making sure no child is left behind.
If you’d like to discuss how we can support your child, or learn more about our tutors with SEND expertise, please get in touch.