Commenting on the government's guidance for schools on inclusion for pupils with special educational needs and disability (SEND), Daniel Kebede, general secretary of the National Education Union, said:
"The NEU supports the ambition of creating a more inclusive mainstream education system so that more children and young people with SEND can be successfully supported in their local schools. However, the success of these reforms will depend on sustained and significant investment.
"Inclusion cannot be delivered on aspiration alone. It requires the funding, staffing, training, appropriate school buildings and learning environments and specialist services necessary to meet the diverse and growing levels of need. If the government is serious about reform, increasing investment in SEND support across mainstream settings must remain a priority.
"The NEU supports a move towards a whole-school approach to inclusion, rather than a fragmented model focused on securing support for individual children. Reform should enable resources to be organised more effectively across entire school communities, ensuring every child receives timely and appropriate support.
"The proposed guidance on Inclusion Bases and Inclusive Estates has the potential to improve accessibility and participation for children with SEND. It is important that specialist provision supports inclusion and belonging, while learning environments are designed around the real experiences of children and young people.
"The Inclusive Mainstream Fund is a positive step, but it must be viewed as the beginning rather than the end of the investment required. Schools have faced years of funding pressures and many already struggle to access the specialist support, additional staff and professional development needed to deliver effective inclusive practice."