Around 50,000 specialist places to support children with SEND in mainstream schools to be created nationwide, says Education Secretary

The Government suggested this would mean young people will not have to travel miles from home to have their needs met, and can instead get support in “tailor-made spaces” with the right facilities, while also mixing with other classes for subjects or parts of the day that are appropriate for them. 

At least 180,000 pupils with SEND currently receive transport to school – journeys that for many are longer than three miles, and for 9% are in single occupancy vehicles such as taxis. 

Meanwhile, the Government has confirmed it will deliver on all 10,000 places due to be created by planned special free schools.

It will do this either by building the planned schools, or by giving local authorities the funding to create the equivalent number of specialist places themselves.

However, the Government said that in order to “prioritise the investment in specialist places”, a number of mainstream free school projects will not go ahead.

The number of primary school pupils has been falling since 2019, with the number of secondary school pupils due to begin falling from next year. Meanwhile, the number of young people with SEND has risen to at least 1.7 million - an increase of 400,000 pupils since 2020.  

The Department for Education said: “Those projects that will continue are those that meet the needs of communities, responding to demographic and housing demand without creating surplus places. New schools that provide a unique offer for students who would otherwise not get it, without damaging the viability of existing local schools and colleges, will also be supported.”

Full plans to improve the SEND system are to be set out through the Schools White Paper early in 2026.

Education Secretary Bridget Phillipson said: “A child’s background should not determine where they end up. Education is the route to opportunity, and opportunity should be for every child, regardless of their individual needs and circumstances.

“For too many families, the reality has been very different, but this government will fix the broken education system for children and young people with SEND by making sure that their local school is also the right school. Ahead our reforms next year, we’re laying the foundations of a new system that shifts children with SEND from forgotten to included and earns the confidence of parents. 

“This £3 billion investment will transform lives. It will open the door to opportunity for tens of thousands of children with SEND, giving them the chance to learn, belong and succeed in their local community. This is how we build an education system that works for every child.”

Responding to the Government’s announcement, Cllr Amanda Hopgood, Chair of the Local Government Association’s Children, Young People and Families Committee, said: “It is vitally important that inclusion is at the heart of reforming the SEND system, so it is good that government is investing in creating specialist places in mainstream schools, so children are able to attend their local school with their friends in their local area. 

“We are also pleased government has confirmed special schools will be funded or councils will be given money to develop their own provision. We would like to see government implement a single, local funding pot, held by councils, to build appropriate provision quickly and effectively.

“We look forward to the Government’s Schools White Paper setting out a roadmap to a system that meets children’s needs more quickly and effectively, in their local mainstream school system where an EHCP is not necessary to get support, with a workforce that has the capacity and right skills.”

Lottie Winson