Question to the Department for Education:

To ask the Secretary of State for Education, with reference to her Department's document entitled Inclusive education estates, published on 25 June 2026, whether the guidance is mandatory for schools, early years settings and post-16 providers.

We know that the physical environment of education settings can have a significant positive impact on the wellbeing and engagement of pupils with special educational needs and disabilities (SEND). This is why we have published dedicated guidance on inclusive education estates, to support local authorities, responsible bodies and mainstream settings in identifying the most affordable, high-impact adaptations for their context, based on pupils’ needs and the opportunities within the estate.

This is non-statutory guidance, but reflects the government's commitment to improving the inclusivity and accessibility of the education estates and is supported by £3.7 billion in high needs capital funding between 2025/26 and 2029/30. Alongside expanding access to inclusion bases and special schools, local areas can use this funding to improve the accessibility and inclusivity of mainstream settings for pupils with SEND.