Schools in England to get budget for children with special needs as part of Send overhaul
The Guardian World
by Richard Adams and Kiran StaceyFebruary 19, 2026
AI-Generated Deep Dive Summary
Schools in England are set to gain direct control over budgets for children with special educational needs (SEN) as part of a significant overhaul aimed at improving support systems. This new approach shifts funding away from local councils to mainstream schools, allowing them to allocate resources more efficiently. Under the SEND (Special Educational Needs and Disabilities) reforms, schools will now have commissioning budgets, enabling them to directly hire therapists or additional support staff tailored to individual student needs.
The change aims to streamline services by reducing bureaucratic barriers and inefficiencies often associated with council-controlled funds. By giving schools autonomy over their budgets, educators can respond more swiftly to the unique requirements of each child, fostering
Verticals
worldpolitics
Originally published on The Guardian World on 2/19/2026