Specialist Outreach for Mainstream Inclusion

Many students with SEND are placed in costly, out-of-area specialist provisions, not because it is the best option, but because mainstream schools lack the training, expertise, and resources to support them.

A structured specialist outreach programme, where experienced SEND professionals work directly with mainstream schools, would allow staff to upskill in areas such as behavioural strategies, differentiation, and assistive technology. By embedding this expertise, schools can keep more students within their existing settings, improving inclusion while reducing the demand for expensive placements.

Additionally, greater collaboration between specialist schools and mainstream settings could enable a more flexible approach, with shared resources, co-delivered lessons, and transitional support to help students thrive in the most appropriate learning environment.

Tackling Profiteering in Independent SEND Provision

Local authorities are paying extortionate fees for independent SEND placements, with some providers charging over £100,000 per year per student. While high-quality independent schools play a crucial role, there is growing concern that certain providers exploit the system, knowing that councils have no choice but to pay whatever is required.

By establishing transparent pricing frameworks, local authorities can ensure they are paying fair rates that reflect the actual costs of provision. This could include benchmarking independent SEND placement costs against specialist maintained schools and setting maximum fee structures.

Stronger financial scrutiny and contract negotiation can help redirect millions of pounds back into local SEND services, allowing for more sustainable, cost-effective provision.

Developing New Independent SEND Schools Locally

A significant proportion of students with EHCPs are placed outside of their home local authority because there is no suitable provision nearby. This often leads to huge transport costs, increased student anxiety, and weakened local oversight.

By investing in new independent SEND schools locally, councils can provide high-quality, cost-efficient alternatives. These schools could be developed through public-private partnerships, leveraging DfE capital funding and local investment to create more sustainable provision.

New schools should be strategically located based on projected demand, ensuring that specialist provision aligns with local need. Additionally, councils should explore co-locating new SEND schools with mainstream academies to allow for greater inclusion and shared services.

Devolved Commissioning Arrangements

Currently, SEND commissioning is heavily centralised, with local authorities responsible for placing children in specialist provision. This approach can be bureaucratic, slow, and ineffective, often leading to placements that do not fully match a child’s needs.

Allowing MATs, federations, and school partnerships to take on commissioning responsibilities could improve decision-making and efficiency. These organisations are often better placed to understand the real needs of students and could make more tailored, cost-effective placement decisions.

Devolved commissioning could be supported by regional SEND hubs, where trusts and councils collaborate on placement decisions, sharing data and expertise to ensure more appropriate, cost-conscious allocations.

‘Outsourcing’ Specialist Provision

Many mainstream schools are struggling to cope with increasing numbers of students with complex needs. Specialist support is stretched thin, and many teachers feel underprepared to manage EHCP requirements alongside standard curriculum delivery.

By bringing in external providers to deliver specialist education within mainstream settings, schools can create hybrid models that support SEND students without full separation.

This could involve:

• On-site specialist units operated by expert providers

• Integrated therapy programmes delivered within mainstream schools

• Flexible learning pathways, blending specialist and mainstream education

These approaches would allow students to access tailored support while maintaining social connections and avoiding costly full-time outplacements.

Expanding Satellite Provision for AP and SEND

There are significant gaps in Alternative Provision (AP) and specialist SEND placements across England, leading to long waiting lists and over-reliance on expensive independent settings.

By developing small, local satellite units attached to existing schools, councils can expand capacity without building entirely new schools. These units can provide:

• Short-term intensive interventions for students at risk of exclusion

• Specialist SEND support hubs co-located with mainstream schools

• Part-time placements to help reintegrate students into full-time education

Satellite provision is a cost-effective way to scale up AP and SEND support quickly, reducing dependency on long-term, high-cost external placements.

Reforming EHCP Funding

The current EHCP funding model is outdated and inconsistent, with funding allocations varying significantly between local authorities. This leads to inequitable access to support and creates budgeting challenges for schools.

Reforming EHCP funding should focus on:

• Standardising funding bands based on national benchmarks

• Reducing delays in funding approvals, ensuring support is in place when it’s needed

• Providing multi-year funding commitments to improve financial planning

A data-driven, transparent funding approach would allow schools and councils to allocate resources more effectively, ensuring that funding follows the child rather than being dictated by postcode differences.