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24 September 2026

Investigation

Councils shun trial to move SEND funding into mainstream schools

Many say it would be 'a risk' to 'experiment' with their special needs’ finances for the DfE pilot
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At least one in five councils has ruled out taking part in a landmark government trial to transfer more cash directly to schools to support pupils with SEND.

 The Department for Education announced in July it was looking at how town halls could“rebalance funding” by moving money currently distributed to schools through the high-needs funding stream directly into mainstream budgets.

The aim is to support earlier intervention and a more proactive approach to meeting need as mainstream schools become more inclusive – the crux of the SEND reforms.

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