SEND News
- Written by: Brian Lamb
A series of documents setting out the key information and proposed reforms in the schools white paper and SEND consultation document for parents and those working in the sector were updated on 25 August 2026
https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/school-send-reforms-sheets
- Written by: Brian Lamb
This plan sets out how the Department for Education plans to improve the use of BSL in its communications in the next 5 years. Includes an annual progress update.
- Written by: Lindsey Rousseau
Apply to provide upfront SEND funding to mainstream schools:
https://www.gov.uk/guidance/apply-to-provide-upfront-send-funding-to-mainstream-schools
The consultation on the local funding formula - open until 18 September 2026
Also open until 18 September, the consultation on Education Otherwise Than At School (EOTAS):
https://www.gov.uk/government/consultations/send-reform-education-otherwise-than-at-school
- Written by: Lindsey Rousseau
The DfE has published the Government response to their consultation on medical conditions in schools.
"We received a significant volume of feedback for our proposals. While the overall responses were overwhelmingly positive, some very important issues were raised – not least around the respective roles and responsibilities of education and healthcare professionals. Having reflected on this, we concluded that more work was needed that would be possible for publication this term.
We have therefore focused on publishing the Government’s first guidance on Allergy safety in schools, which is an important step in itself and accompanies the specific allergy safety duties in the Children’s Wellbeing and Skills Act.
This is definitely not the end of the journey. We look forward to working with you further as we address the challenges which were raised through the consultation".
- Written by: Brian Lamb
Tthe Equality Commission is consulting on updated guidance on schools’ legal obligations not to discriminate against, harass or victimise pupils, as set out in chapter 1 of Part 6 of the Equality Act 2010 (the Act).
This includes the reasonable adjustment duties and includes a large number of examples covering SI. Published on the 10th of June 2026, response needs to be by the 30th of September. The consultation is in the form of a response questionnaire.
https://www.equalityhumanrights.com/guidance/technical-guidance-schools-consultation
- Written by: Brian Lamb
SEND Bases in Mainstream Schools: Parent Views
Report on parent views of "Inclusion Bases". Several positive mentions of deaf provision and a useful analysis of proportions of SI children in bases.
Informtaion updates for parents about what is happening now in the SEND reforms:
Inclusive Mainstream fund: support for School Leaders
Education, Health and Care Plans 2026.
These are the SEN2 figures which include all plans from any setting up the age of 25. The main conclusion is;
"The number of children and young people with EHC plans increased to 718,800, as at census day in January 2026, 12.5% higher than at January 2025. This is the highest year on year increase since EHC plans were introduced in 2014."
- Written by: Lindsey Rousseau
For the first time, departmental guidance has been produced to help settings and local authorities set up and deliver high-quality provision in inclusion bases, as well as support improvement of existing bases. The department has engaged widely with the school, SEND, and AP sectors in producing this guidance, and involved a wide range of stakeholders, including children and young people and parents and carers with experience of accessing bases, social care and allied health professionals, school and trust leaders, support staff, local authority SEND leads and organisations in the third sector. The guidance sets out six principles of effective practice for inclusion bases as well as guidance on effective commissioning. This is supported by 12 spotlight examples demonstrating the depth, breadth and impact of different inclusion base models.
The guidance is available at this link:
https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/inclusion-bases-in-schools
Alongside the inclusion bases guidance, we are publishing two reports.
The first is a report on research exploring the views and experiences of parents and carers whose children attend or have attended an inclusion base in a mainstream school.
The report is available at this link;
www.gov.uk/government/publications/send-bases-in-mainstream-schools-parent-views
The second report presents insights from academic experts on the impact of SEN units and resourced provision, and features of effective practice.
The report is available at this link;
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