UK Government Announces £3 Billion Investment to Expand Specialist SEND Places
The UK Government has announced a major £3 billion investment aimed at supporting children and young people with Special Educational Needs and Disabilities (SEND). Delivered over several years, the funding will create 50,000 new specialist places across England, in the hope to address growing demand and reducing pressure on families, schools, and local authorities particularly where children are forced out of county to access education currently.
Expanding Specialist Support in Mainstream Schools
A key focus of the investment is the expansion of specialist provision within mainstream schools. Most of the 50,000 new places will be created through dedicated resource bases (ARB)/resource provisions (ARP) attached to mainstream settings. These bases are designed to support pupils with needs such as Autism (ASC), Social, Emotional and Mental Health (SEMH), Speech and Language difficulties and moderate learning difficulties (MLD - allowing children to remain closer to home and be educated alongside their peers where appropriate.
This approach aims to improve inclusion, reduce reliance on costly out-of-area placements with long journeys and provide earlier, more targeted support for pupils whose needs may escalate without the right interventions.
How the Investment Is Funded
The £3 billion programme will be funded primarily through the Department for Education’s existing budget. Additional savings have been generated by changing planned free school new builds and allowing local authorities to redirect funding to areas where SEND demand is highest and placements are most needed. The government says this will ensure money is spent more effectively and aligned with local needs.
Support for Special Schools and Local Authorities
While mainstream provision is a central priority, the funding also supports existing special schools and the construction of new ones where required. Local councils will receive capital funding to expand capacity overall, improve facilities, and strengthen local SEND provision, giving authorities greater flexibility to meet demand in their communities.
A Long-Term Vision for SEND Provision
This £3 billion investment represents one of the largest expansions of SEND provision in recent years. By increasing specialist capacity, strengthening mainstream inclusion, and supporting special schools, the government aims to build a more sustainable and responsive SEND system which will be given further detail in the schools White Paper in 2026.
For families, schools, and local authorities, the programme offers the prospect of shorter waiting times, improved access to specialist support, and better educational experiences for thousands of children and young people with SEND across the country.
Capital Funding: Building for Better Support
Schools receiving the capital funding will need to invest in adapted facilities that help children thrive — including focused calmer teaching areas, sensory and therapy rooms, quiet zones, enhanced accessibility, and specialist equipment inside and outside the classroom. Having these spaces on site means pupils can access the right support without long journeys to distant specialist schools, helping families and children feel a part of their local community and improving children's readiness to learn with shorter travel times at the beginning and end of each day.
Local authorities will also use funding to expand and improve existing special schools, and build new ones where needed, ensuring more children can attend high-quality local provision.
What’s Next: SEND White Paper in 2026
In early 2026, the government plans to publish a major Schools White Paper that will set out further reforms to the SEND system — including how funding, support services and accountability will work together to improve outcomes for children with SEND. This paper has been delayed from its original 2025 timetable to allow more input from families, educators and experts on shaping the reforms. Citizen Space
The White Paper is expected to provide greater clarity on SEND spending and support, helping schools, local authorities and families understand future priorities and how practice will change in the coming years. It will build on the £3 billion investment, signalling a long-term commitment to create an inclusive and effective SEND education system.
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