First national SEND guidance aims to end postcode lottery

Children with special educational needs and disabilities (SEND) could see more support in mainstream schools under new government guidance.

The first-of-its-kind guidance outlines how schools, colleges and early years settings can adapt their buildings and services to better meet the needs of children with SEND. 

It comes after years of complaints from families about long waits for support and wide variations in provision between different parts of the country.

The plans build on the government’s commitment for every secondary school in England to have an inclusion base over time. The dedicated spaces will provide targeted teaching and specialist support for pupils who need it.

According to the guidance, inclusion bases will be led by qualified teachers and will not be used as a disciplinary measure. The aim is to help pupils spend more time learning alongside their peers in mainstream classrooms.

Schools are also being encouraged to consider how children with SEND experience the school day, from entering the building to moving between lessons. Suggested measures include quieter spaces, alternative entrances and classroom adaptations.

Education Secretary Bridget Phillipson said: ‘Every child and young person deserves to feel included, without fighting for the support they need to succeed.

‘We are giving schools a clear, practical blueprint to become truly inclusive, from calmer classrooms and sensory-friendly spaces, to specialist support embedded right in the heart of the school, so children can learn alongside their peers rather than miles from home.’

Ministers pointed to examples from existing inclusion bases as evidence of their impact. Government figures show autistic pupils in Sheffield are accessing up to 100% of mainstream lessons with tailored support, while in Nottinghamshire 80% of pupils attending a base achieved strong passes in GCSE English and Maths.

In Oxfordshire, pupils using the provision recorded average attendance of 93%.

Phillipson added: ‘Every child deserves to attend a school where they belong, where the environment works for them, and where the right support is simply part of the school day. That’s what we’re building.’

Image: Salah Darwish/UnSplash 

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