Changes rolled out across 32 local authorities as part of a Tory-era SEND pilot have cut exclusions and kept more children in mainstream education, a report has found. Standardised education, health and care plans (EHCPs), introduced during the same trial, have also made the process 鈥渓ess overwhelming鈥 for parents and aided 鈥渕ore consistent decision-making鈥. The findings were revealed in a report, , evaluating the first two years of the change programme 鈥 which was聽launched by the Conservative government in 2023聽to test potential SEND reforms. Signs of 鈥榠mpact鈥 Those taking part in the trial were asked, among other things, to 鈥渋mprove support within mainstream settings through early identification and intervention鈥. The report found schools in the test areas were 鈥渋ncreasingly taking collective responsibility for meeting SEND needs, supported by new tools, guidance, and local initiatives such as inclusion frameworks [and] resource bases鈥. Stakeholders told the researchers they had seen 鈥渆arly signs of impact鈥, including more children 鈥渂eing retained in mainstream education, fewer exclusions, and stronger collaboration between schools, local authorities, and AP providers鈥. Specialists in schools One of the approaches adopted through the trial was alternative provision specialist taskforces (APSTs). This involved teams of experts, like therapists and family support workers, being based in schools to work directly with youngsters. The report stated APSTs are 鈥渟howing positive early impact鈥. In 鈥渟everal鈥 areas they 鈥渉ave played a key role in supporting reintegration from AP back into mainstream settings and preventing escalation into exclusion鈥. Stakeholders also noted that locating the specialists in schools 鈥渉as enabled earlier identification鈥 of pupils鈥 needs and 鈥渇aster access to targeted interventions, helping pupils remain engaged in learning鈥. 鈥淭here is also growing optimism that with continued investment and clearer guidance, the inclusive approaches developed through the change programme can be embedded and scaled nationally, strengthening early intervention and reducing demand for specialist support over time,鈥 the report added. EHCP tweaks Areas involved in the pilot were also asked to test a 鈥渟tandardised鈥 EHCPs model. The report said parents 鈥済enerally welcomed the new national [EHCP] template, describing it as clearer, more manageable and less overwhelming鈥. Many councils 鈥渉ave continued to use the template, often with small local adaptations, reporting greater plan quality and more consistent decision-making鈥. Areas also explored 鈥減rocess changes to multi-agency panels and mediation鈥. 鈥淲hile it remains too early to evidence impact on longer-term outcomes, stakeholders were cautiously optimistic that stronger mediation processes, more consistent panels, and better-quality plans would lead to lasting improvement in families鈥 experiences and children鈥檚 outcomes.鈥 What鈥檚 next? The trial is running in nine “change programme partnerships”, each composed of two to four local authorities. In all, 32 councils are involved. Labour has already extended the government鈥檚 contract with councils across England to test new initiatives through the change programme. But the report noted a 鈥渇inal evaluation鈥 will be produced once the scheme ends later this year. It will 鈥渆xplore the potential for using a quasi-experimental design to measure programme impacts鈥.