Transforming Local SEND Support Through New Specialist Places

A Major Step Forward for Local SEND Support

Around 50,000 specialist places will be created across England so that more children with special educational needs and disabilities (SEND) can learn, play and thrive alongside their friends in their local mainstream schools. Children with SEND will gain access to a high-quality education closer to home, supported by at least £3 billion of investment in new specialist spaces within mainstream settings.

For many families, this represents a shift away from long journeys and difficult battles for appropriate provision, towards a model where local schools are better equipped to meet a wide range of needs. This reflects a broader move towards inclusion, where specialist support is part of the everyday school offer rather than something separate or distant. You can read more about why inclusion matters in Senploy’s blog “Why is inclusion important to students with special needs and disabilities?” .

Specialist, Calm Spaces in Mainstream Schools

The Education Secretary has announced a transformational expansion of calm, specialist learning spaces in mainstream schools, following the largest national conversation on SEND in a generation. These tailored environments will be equipped to support children with a range of needs, including autism and ADHD, who may find busy school environments overwhelming.

Pupils will be able to access specialist support in these spaces while still joining other classes and activities for appropriate parts of the day, helping them remain connected to their wider peer group. This approach is designed to make schools inclusive by design, with specialist provision embedded within the local offer. For practical strategies on day-to-day classroom practice, see Senploy’s article “10 tips for teachers on creating an inclusive classroom” .

Reducing Long Journeys for Families

At present, at least 180,000 pupils with SEND receive transport to school, with many travelling more than three miles and around nine per cent doing so in single-occupancy vehicles such as taxis. By expanding specialist provision within local mainstream schools, the government aims to reduce the need for children to travel long distances just to have their needs met.

This shift is intended to ease pressure on families, many of whom have felt they must fight for the right support and a suitable school place. Bringing support closer to home can also strengthen children’s sense of belonging in their community. 

Delivering 10,000 Special Free School Places

In addition to the new mainstream specialist spaces, the government has confirmed it will deliver all 10,000 specialist places planned through special free schools in every area. This will be achieved either by building the proposed special schools or by giving local authorities funding to create the equivalent number of specialist places themselves, often more quickly than formal free school projects.

These places are on top of the tens of thousands supported through the new £3 billion investment and build on £740 million already used to create over 10,000 specialist places. Allocations for 2026–27 are due to be issued in spring, giving local areas clarity on how and where they can grow their SEND provision.

Calming, Tailor-Made Environments and Resourced Provision

The new investment will help create calming spaces for children who may feel overstimulated by traditional classrooms, such as those with autism or ADHD. Breakout areas and specialist resource bases will provide an additional layer of support, acting as a bridge into mainstream learning rather than a barrier to it.

Leaders like Anna Heaton, Executive Principal and Trust Lead for Secondary SEND & Inclusion at Delta Academies Trust, highlight how resourced provision units can break down barriers to learning and participation, improving attendance, engagement and wellbeing for pupils and their families. These developments also open up a range of specialist roles in education; Senploy outlines some of these in “Top 6 Career Paths in Special Education” .

One family reported that a resourced provision transformed their child from feeling unable to see a future into someone who wanted to learn and talk about what comes next. Stories like this show the difference well-designed, well-staffed provision can make when it is available in the local community.

Rebalancing School Places to Meet Changing Needs

The government is also confirming the outcome of its review of mainstream free schools, with some projects not going ahead so that investment can be prioritised for specialist places. This reflects a commitment to putting school places where they are needed most, now and in the future.

Primary pupil numbers have been falling since 2019, and secondary numbers are expected to begin falling from next year. At the same time, the number of young people with SEND has risen to at least 1.7 million, an increase of around 400,000 since 2020. Mainstream free school projects that will continue are those that respond to demographic and housing demand, avoid creating surplus places, and offer a unique provision without harming existing local schools and colleges.

Part of a £38 Billion Education Estate Investment

This SEND investment forms part of a wider £38 billion commitment to the education estate from 2025–26 to 2029–30. It includes funding to expand the School Rebuilding Programme, which aims to raise the standard of classrooms and facilities across the country.

Applications for a further 250 rebuilding projects will open in the new year, with priority given to schools in the most severe condition need so every child can learn in a safe, high-quality environment. Today’s announcement is described as a pivotal step towards improving the life chances of children with SEND, with full plans for SEND system reform due to be set out in the forthcoming Schools White Paper.

Further Reading From Senploy

For more insights, visit the Senploy blog to explore the latest news, guides and career advice for professionals working with children and young people with SEND.