Issue

Special educational needs

4 stories · discussed at 3 council meetings · 5 councils

Councils are currently addressing funding pressures for special educational needs and exploring new school provision.

Councils are currently addressing funding for special educational needs (SEN), which require additional support for students with learning difficulties or disabilities. In December 2025, Enfield Council's Cabinet approved feasibility studies for the Addison House project and to identify sites for large-scale SEN provision development. This follows the Department for Education pausing progress on two proposed SEN schools under the SEN Wave Programme.

In November 2025, Ealing Schools Forum approved transferring £1.69 million from the schools block to the high needs block to alleviate funding pressures for the 2026-27 financial year. This funding supports Education, Health and Care Plans and outreach services that support high needs pupils in mainstream schools.

Key facts

  1. Enfield Council's Cabinet approved feasibility studies for new SEN school sites in December 2025. Source
  2. Ealing Schools Forum approved a £1.69 million transfer to the high needs block in November 2025. Source
  3. The Department for Education paused two proposed SEN schools under the SEN Wave Programme. Source
About this summary

This summary was written automatically from our published stories and the council meeting records they draw on, with background from Wikipedia. It describes what councils have discussed and decided; it does not take a view on any decision. Each key fact links to the story it comes from. Updated 30 September 2026. Spotted a mistake? Email community@opencouncil.network.

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