For years the Special Educational Needs and Disabilities (SEND) system in England has operated on a fragile foundation with local councils managing the funding provisions. The system has been supported by a statutory override, which has allowed local councils to carry massive debts off their main books, effectively separating school spending pressures from general council funds.

Last week the Department for Education published its white paper Every Child Achieving and Thriving which sets out the Government’s vision for change in our education system with a particular focus on SEND provision, partnerships with families, and improving outcomes for all children. This is set against the sharp reality that, according to the Children’s Society, out of 27 European countries the UK is last in how happy 15-year-olds are with their life.

Chancellor Rachel Reeves in the last  Autumn Budget signalled a definitive end to the existing system and announced that central government intends to officially assume full responsibility for SEND funding through the Department for Education, starting in the 2028-29 financial year, presumably through the new Inclusive Mainstream Fund of £1.6 billion over three years, and with £3.7 billion of capital funding to increase the accessibility of school buildings.  There is likely to be a bidding system for improvement project support.

As we look towards the future, the implications of these changes will be wide-ranging. It is intended that a transition to mandatory National Infrastructure Standards (NIS) will take place over the next few years, and that all children with SEND will each have a new Individual Support Plan (ISP).  If the proposals go through, schools will have greater control over how they support children with SEND.

With increased investment earmarked to improve accessibility, we anticipate that funding will be directly linked to compliance with the new NIS, and temporary fixes will no longer suffice.

Sanderson Weatherall has extensive experience of school building environments, and our chartered building surveyors and architects are well-placed to assist. We would recommend taking advice early to develop a strategy to address these proposals.