SEND Funding Boost: Billions Pledged to Make Schools More Inclusive

The government has announced a major overhaul of the SEND (Special Educational Needs and Disabilities) system in England, pledging billions to make mainstream schools more inclusive. For teachers, school leaders, and parents, this is being called a “once-in-a-generation” opportunity to improve support for children with SEND.

What’s Changing?

Over the next three years, schools, colleges, and early years settings will receive £1.6 billion in direct funding. Another £1.8 billion will go towards creating “experts at hand”,  specialist teachers, speech and language therapists, and other professionals who can support pupils with SEND across settings.

This means more access to resources, expert guidance, and tailored support for children who may previously have struggled in mainstream classrooms. Part of the plan also includes £200 million to ensure every teacher receives SEND-specific training – the largest such programme ever introduced in English schools.

EHCPs and Support Plans

One of the most talked-about aspects of the reforms is the reassessment of Education, Health and Care Plans (EHCPs). Currently, around 480,000 pupils have EHCPs, legal documents ensuring they receive the support they need. Under the new proposals, these plans will be reserved for children with the most complex needs, while all other children with SEND will have new individual support plans (ISPs) that carry legal backing.

While some parents have expressed concerns about children potentially losing EHCP support when moving to secondary school, ministers stress that “effective support will not be removed,” and that the new system aims to provide tailored support for every child.

1.7 Million Pupils with Special Educational Needs

Number of pupils with an education, health and care plan (EHCP) or who receive special educational needs (SEN) support, million

Funding in Practice

The extra funding translates to roughly £20,000–£40,000 per primary school and £50,000–£70,000 per secondary school annually. This could provide an average secondary school with more than 160 days of specialist support each year. Schools will also be expected to develop “inclusion bases,” supported by the government’s £3.7 billion capital investment in education.

Why Teachers Should Pay Attention

Headteachers and classroom staff are likely to feel the impact first-hand: more specialist support, access to experts, and mandatory SEND training could transform the day-to-day experience of teaching pupils with SEND. As Cherry Fields Primary School headteacher Claire Robertson notes, inclusion isn’t just about one-to-one support – it’s about lesson planning, classroom design, and ensuring all pupils can thrive.

For teachers, this is a chance to see real change in resources, professional development, and classroom support, potentially reducing the pressures that come with the current, often underfunded system.

A Long-Term Reform

The government has described these changes as a “decade-long, careful transition” to a system that isn’t medicalised but instead focuses on each child’s individual needs. Early adopters, like Greater Manchester, are already preparing to pioneer the reforms.

Ultimately, the success of these reforms will depend on proper funding, staff recruitment, and ongoing training. For teachers on the ground, staying informed and engaging with the new resources will be key to helping every child with SEND succeed.

Want to know how the SEND overhaul could impact your classroom? Get in touch with NextGen Teachers – we’re here to support you every step of the way.