SEND

Use SEND cash to boost mainstream inclusion, councils told

Move follows budget's £1 billion boost in high needs funding

Move follows budget's £1 billion boost in high needs funding

Local authorities should use their extra SEND cash to boost inclusion in mainstream schools, the government has said.

All councils will receive a minimum increase of 7 per cent in high needs funding in 2025-26, up from 3 per cent last year.

It follows an additional £1 billion being announced at the autumn budget for SEND, taking the total budget to £11.9 billion. 

The Department for Education’s guidance on how to spend the money in 2025-26, published Thursday, states government has “made it clear that the general direction of SEND reform” is towards more inclusive mainstream provision.

That includes the use of SEN units and resources provision, with a “range of reforms that will facilitate that shift” being worked on.

Regulations for 2025-26 will also allow councils to target funding to encourage pupils with SEND being educated in mainstream, the guidance states.

‘Collaboration’

This includes spending cash on “collaboration between special and mainstream schools to enable those with SEN to engage in mainstream school activities”.

Wasim Butt

Councils should also look at what changes are needed to their SEND funding arrangements to help make mainstream schools more inclusive.

This could include by “supporting an enhanced role for mainstream schools and colleges in making provision for children and young people with more complex needs”.

Wasim Butt, national director for AP and SEND at Ormiston Academies Trust, said: “This gives councils a mandate to engage with more mainstream schools in identifying local solutions to meet need.

“It aims to promote inclusive education, ensuring that pupils with SEND have greater opportunities to be educated alongside their peers in mainstream environments.

“LAs are therefore able to better plan and respond to local need.”

Latest education roles from

IT Technician

IT Technician

Harris Academy Morden

Teacher of Geography

Teacher of Geography

Harris Academy Orpington

Lecturer/Assessor in Electrical

Lecturer/Assessor in Electrical

South Gloucestershire and Stroud College

Director of Management Information Systems (MIS)

Director of Management Information Systems (MIS)

South Gloucestershire and Stroud College

Exams Assistant

Exams Assistant

Richmond and Hillcroft Adult & Community College

Lecturer Electrical Installation

Lecturer Electrical Installation

Solihull College and University Centre

Sponsored posts

Sponsored post

Dream Big Day: Empowering Every Pupil to Imagine, Create, and Flourish

In today’s rapidly evolving world, educators face an immense challenge: How do we inspire young people to envision ambitious...

SWAdvertorial
Sponsored post

Reframing digital skills for the workforce of tomorrow

No longer just for those with a passion for technology: why digital skills matter

SWAdvertorial
Sponsored post

Safe to speak, ready to act: SaferSpace tackles harassment, misconduct and safeguarding concerns in schools 

In today’s education climate, where safeguarding, wellbeing and staff retention are under increasing scrutiny, the message is clear: schools...

SWAdvertorial
Sponsored post

Beyond exams: why ASDAN’s refreshed qualifications are key to real-world learner success

In today’s outcome-driven education landscape, it’s easy to overlook the quieter, yet equally vital, qualities that help learners truly...

SWAdvertorial

More from this theme

SEND

DfE extends neurodiversity support scheme, but with less funding

Programme that trains teachers to better identify needs extended into 2025-26 with £9.5m

Lydia Chantler-Hicks
SEND

Extra £1bn SEND funding is ‘not reaching children’

Many councils aren't passing on the funding allocated for high needs at last year's budget

Jack Dyson
SEND

SEND reforms: the backlash begins

‘If SEND isn’t fixed now - it will become so broken and big, it never gets resolved’, says one...

John Dickens
SEND

Schools could face SEND tribunal penalties 

Direction forcing schools and councils to follow rules on evidence bundles follows deluge of 'irrelevant' information

Freddie Whittaker

Your thoughts

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *