Changes to SEND funding: What teachers and schools need to know

The system of SEND funding in the UK is undergoing major reform as government policy shifts its approach to supporting children with special educational needs and disabilities (SEND). Rising demand, growing costs, and a widely reported funding gap have driven changes that teachers and school leaders must understand to plan effectively in the coming years.

SEND already affects around one in five pupils in English schools, with over 1.6 million children identified as having additional needs and more than 480,000 with Education, Health and Care Plans (EHCPs). Numbers have risen sharply in recent years, increasing pressure on both mainstream schools and dedicated SEND provision. (Tes)

What is SEND funding?

In England, SEND funding supports extra teaching, assessment, therapy, behaviour and health needs that cannot be met from a school’s core budget. Funding usually comes through:

• Dedicated school budgets (e.g. High Needs Block and SEND-specific allocations)
• EHCP top-up payments for children with formal plans
• Local authority commissioning of specialists and services

Despite real-terms increases in high needs funding to nearly £11–12bn annually, schools and local authorities have repeatedly reported that funding does not match rising demand and costs. Many leaders say current SEND funding is inadequate, and overall SEND system costs have been described by independent researchers as “unsustainable”. (Institute for Fiscal Studies)

The new £200m SEND Training Plan

As part of the government’s wider reform of SEND, a new £200m investment package has been introduced to improve training for teachers, SENCOs and support staff on SEND practice and inclusion.

This fund is designed to:

• Boost SEND expertise in mainstream schools
• Increase workforce skills in identifying and supporting needs such as autism, ADHD and communication differences
• Improve access to therapies and specialist support where needed

Unlike core SEND budgets, this funding is specifically targeted at workforce development to help schools deliver better quality provision and reduce costly appeals or placements outside mainstream where avoidable.

The training investment forms one component of a broader SEND overhaul, including plans to give mainstream schools direct commissioning budgets for therapy and support rather than having this controlled centrally by local authorities. (The Guardian)

Why now? The policy context

SEND funding reform sits alongside long-term Government strategy in the SEND and Alternative Provision Improvement Plan, first published in 2023, which aims to:

• Create national standards for SEND provision
• Strengthen early identification and support
• Improve transitions between settings
• Build more inclusive local systems rather than over-reliance on EHCP processes and independent placements (GOV.UK)

These reforms reflect a build-up of pressures from rapidly increasing SEND populations and mounting financial strain on local authorities and schools.

Likely timeline for SEND funding changes

Here is a practical timeline of expected developments that schools should be aware of:

2025–2026

• Rollout begins for national SEND standards and training programmes.
• Schools start to access direct commissioning budgets for SEND support and therapy. (The Guardian)

2026

• Continued expansion of SEND training funded from the new £200m plan.
• National standards for SEND delivery become clearer through statutory guidance.

2027–2029

• Larger structural reforms begin to take effect in the SEND and AP Improvement Plan, with a focus on sustainability and measurable inclusion outcomes. (GOV.UK)

From 2030 onwards

• New arrangements will reassess EHCP thresholds, prioritising highest-need children while offering Individual Support Plans (ISPs) in mainstream schools for others. (The Guardian)

(Exact dates may be updated once the Government publishes its SEND White Paper.)

How this affects teachers and schools

1. More SEND expertise in classrooms

Teachers and support staff can expect greater access to funded training, meaning enhanced skills to support diverse learners without always needing external specialists. This could improve day-to-day inclusion.

2. Greater school budget control

Mainstream schools may soon manage their own SEND commissioning budgets, giving greater autonomy but also placing more responsibility on school leaders to allocate resources well.

3. Potential shifts in EHCP process

From 2030, the role of EHCPs is likely to change, with stronger emphasis on school-based support plans for pupils who do not meet the highest-need thresholds. This could reduce EHCP numbers but requires careful planning in schools.

Sector responses and risks

Many educators and unions have welcomed training investment, but there are also warnings:

• Some groups fear that tightening EHCP eligibility may reduce legal protections for pupils.
• Others argue that SEND training alone cannot fix deeply rooted systemic issues such as staff shortages, insufficient specialist staffing and inconsistent local implementation. (UNISON National)

Despite funding increases, SEND provision costs continue to rise faster than funding, which means schools must balance inclusion ambitions with financial realities. (Institute for Fiscal Studies)

SEND funding in the UK is entering a period of significant change. The £200m SEND training plan signals a shift towards building capacity within schools, alongside wider reforms to funding structures and delivery standards.

For teachers and school leaders, understanding how funding, training and support models are evolving will be key to delivering inclusive education and meeting the needs of all learners.

Frequently asked questions (FAQs)

Will SEND funding increase for schools?

High needs funding has increased in recent years, but demand has also grown significantly. While additional investment has been announced, many schools and local authorities continue to report financial pressure. Future changes will depend on wider SEND reforms and national standards.

How could SEND funding reforms affect EHCPs?

Current proposals suggest a stronger focus on early support within mainstream schools. In the longer term, EHCP eligibility may be refined so that plans are prioritised for pupils with the highest levels of need, with alternative support plans introduced for others.

When will the new SEND funding changes take effect?

Training investment is expected to roll out from 2025 onwards. Broader structural reforms under the SEND and Alternative Provision Improvement Plan are likely to develop between 2026 and 2030, subject to government consultation and legislation.