The Department for Education has commissioned the National Children’s Bureau (NCB) to produce new best practice guidance for mainstream schools on setting up and running SEN units, resourced provision, and pupil support units.
The goal is to make education more inclusive, ensuring more children with additional needs can thrive in mainstream settings with the right specialist support.
As of early 2025, there are 449 schools with SEN units and 1,217 with resourced provision, and those numbers are steadily growing.
Many secondary schools are also establishing pupil support units to provide early interventions and reduce exclusions.
Councils across England are facing rising SEND deficits and staff shortages, highlighting how vital clear, sustainable guidance will be.
The NCB’s new framework – due in February 2026, with interim guidance this December – aims to help schools and local authorities design high-quality, inclusive provision that works for both children and educators.
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