Councils in England must submit plans by June 2026 to access £860m in new government funding for special educational needs and disabilities (Send) provision. The money is the first tranche of a £3bn fund aimed at creating 50,000 new Send places in mainstream schools, part of reforms announced last month.
Authorities must outline how they will enable more pupils with Send to attend local schools and reduce long-distance travel. Schools are expected to use the cash for inclusive spaces, such as sensory rooms for children with autism or ADHD, and all secondary schools will eventually have an 'inclusion base' for specialist support within mainstream classes.
The government said no child currently at a special school will have to move unless they choose, and councils must ensure enough places for those with the most complex needs. The reforms aim to overhaul a system widely seen as dysfunctional and financially unsustainable, with rising numbers of education, health and care plans (EHCPs) from 240,000 in 2014 to 640,000 in 2024.
Schools Minister Georgia Gould said: 'Inclusion is a choice, one this government is proud to make, and the funding we're backing councils with today will help make it a reality.' Payments will be released in autumn 2026 if plans are approved. Councils proposing special school investment must justify why this best meets local needs.
