Question to the Department for Education:

To ask the Secretary of State for Education, what steps her Department is taking to ensure that there is adequate provision of (a) SEND support in mainstream schools and (b) places in specialist schools.

For too long the education and care system has not met the needs of all children, particularly those with special educational needs and disabilities (SEND), with parents struggling to get their children the support they need and deserve.

The department wants more children and young people to receive the support they need to achieve and thrive in their local mainstream school, reducing the need for pupils to be educated at home or to travel a long way to access a specialist placement. Many mainstream settings are delivering specialist provision locally, including through resourced provision and special educational needs units. Alongside this, the department recognises the vital role that special schools play catering to children and young people with the most complex needs.

The Children and Families Act 2014 requires local authorities to ensure there are sufficient school places for all pupils, including those with SEND. If a local authority identifies a shortage of special school places, resulting in a significant number of pupils needing to travel a long way to access a placement, they should consider creating or expanding local provision to meet that need.

My right hon. Friend, the Secretary of State for Education, has now announced £740 million for high needs capital in 2025/26 to support children and young people with SEND or who require alternative provision. This new funding can be used to adapt classrooms to be more accessible for children with SEND or create specialist facilities within mainstream schools that can deliver more intensive support adapted to suit pupils’ needs, as well as continuing to provide places to support pupils in special schools with the most complex needs.