Question to the Department for Education:

To ask the Secretary of State for Education, what guidance her Department provides to schools on adapting physical and structured learning environments for pupils whose prefrontal cortex development has been impacted by trauma; and what steps she is taking to ensure that sensory and cognitive triggers do not lead to disciplinary action.

This government is committed to supporting local areas to create high-quality places that are suitable to meet the needs of children and young people with special educational needs and disabilities (SEND).

To support this, we are investing at least £3.7 billion in high needs capital funding between 2025/26 and 2029/30, to support local authorities to provide places for children and young people with SEND, or who require alternative provision, across early years settings, schools, and colleges.

This funding is expected to fund a transformative expansion of inclusion bases, as well as adaptations to improve the accessibility and inclusivity of mainstream settings. It can also be used to create special school places for pupils with the most complex needs.

We have published dedicated Inclusive Education Estates Guidance to support local authorities and settings to identify high-impact adaptations in mainstream settings and enhance the inclusivity and accessibility of the physical environment.