Home / Education / England Schools Get Billions for SEND Inclusivity
England Schools Get Billions for SEND Inclusivity
23 Feb
Summary
- Billions allocated to enhance inclusivity for students with special needs.
- Funding includes direct school allocations and expert access.
- Reforms propose reassessing education plans for older pupils.
The UK government has announced a multi-billion pound investment to significantly enhance the inclusivity of mainstream schools in England for pupils with special educational needs and disabilities (SEND). This initiative includes direct funding of £1.6 billion over three years for schools, early years settings, and colleges.
An additional £1.8 billion will be dedicated to increasing access to essential specialists such as educational experts and speech and language therapists. These measures are part of a broader overhaul of the SEND system, with comprehensive reforms detailed in a forthcoming Schools White Paper.
Among the proposed changes are plans to reassess children's Education, Health, and Care Plans (EHCPs) upon transitioning from primary to secondary school and again after GCSEs. This could affect fewer children retaining their EHCPs into secondary education, raising concerns for parents worried about support withdrawal during critical developmental stages.
The government also plans to implement new individual support plans (ISPs) for all children with SEND, which will carry some legal backing. Furthermore, £200 million is earmarked for training to ensure every teacher is qualified to support pupils with SEND, constituting the largest SEND training offer in English schools' history.
