The investment forms the first tranche of a wider £3 billion programme, first announced in December 2025, aimed at creating more inclusive classrooms and increasing the number of specialist places available within mainstream schools over the next three years.
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Local authorities will be required to prioritise expanding provision in mainstream settings, including ensuring every secondary school has an “inclusion base”.
The department, which envisions the creation of “tens of thousands of high-quality places”, describes the bases as dedicated areas within schools that allow pupils to access both specialist support and mainstream education.
The money can also be used to adapt spaces for an enhanced sensory experience, such as by improving ventilation, acoustics and lighting.
Local authorities receiving the funding must sign agreements committing to inclusive strategies, including reducing long-distance travel for pupils and ensuring access to local provision.
While the focus is on mainstream inclusion, authorities may also invest in special schools where there is clear evidence of local need.
The move comes amid rising demand for SEND provision, with latest data showing an increase of 260,000 children with education, health and care plans (EHCPs) requiring specialist placements in 2025/26.
The DfE is due to publish further guidance on setting up inclusion bases later this year.
The announcement builds on recently unveiled SEND reforms, which aim to make inclusion the default across the education system.
Under the reforms, inclusion bases will replace existing terms such as SEN units and resourced provision.
These will be split into support bases, funded by schools, and specialist bases, funded by local authorities, combining mainstream learning with tailored interventions.
Alongside the capital funding, £500mn per year will be distributed to schools, nurseries and colleges to improve inclusive practice.
The average primary school could receive around £14,000, while secondary schools could receive approximately £48,000 in 2026/27, DfE estimates suggest.
Some £235mn is also being made available for 32 local authorities to create more than 4,000 additional specialist places, as well as £2.1bn for wider school estate improvements, the department said.
Source: CYPNow
