At the South East RISE Inclusion Conference on 9 March 2026, Education Secretary Bridget Phillipson set out the government’s model for an “inclusive mainstream”, stating that inclusion and high standards go together. She also underlined that Ofsted now assesses inclusion explicitly across early years settings, schools and colleges. (gov.uk)
Funding sits at the centre of the reforms. The white paper sets out a £1.6 billion Inclusive Mainstream Fund for 2026–27 to 2028–29, a £1.8 billion Experts at Hand service to expand access to therapists and educational psychologists, more than £200 million for workforce training from September 2026, and £3.7 billion of high‑needs capital from 2025–30 to create inclusion bases, improve accessibility and provide additional special school places. (assets.publishing.service.gov.uk)
Operational changes are equally significant. Schools would move to a layered support model: universal provision for all pupils; targeted support captured in a digital Individual Support Plan (ISP); and specialist provision for those who need it. The government proposes placing legal duties on settings to create ISPs for children receiving targeted or specialist support. (consult.education.gov.uk)
Leaders would also be required to publish an Inclusion Strategy annually-replacing today’s SEN Information Report-to explain how resources will be deployed and how practice meets National Inclusion Standards. Inclusion bases are intended to bridge mainstream and specialist support, with the government signalling an ambition for every secondary school, and many primaries, to host one over time. (consult.education.gov.uk)
Inspection has already shifted. From 10 November 2025 Ofsted introduced report cards with a five‑point grading scale and a separate ‘inclusion’ evaluation area across early years, schools and further education; inspections of ITE and non‑association independent schools moved to the renewed framework in January 2026. The single overall grade has been removed. (gov.uk)
The Department for Education has published analysis comparing GCSE English and mathematics outcomes for pupils with education, health and care plans (EHCPs) in mainstream and special settings; it reports stronger outcomes for those in mainstream, noting non‑random allocation between settings. International evidence from the European Agency links inclusive education to improved transition to employment. (gov.uk)
Delivery support will flow through RISE. The Secretary of State said the RISE inclusive mainstream offer is already running webinars and building national networks for inclusion bases. Separately, 215 ‘stuck’ schools have been identified for targeted support through RISE advisers alongside the universal offer. (gov.uk)
The speech placed the schools programme within a wider anti‑poverty and early years agenda now moving into delivery: expansion of free school meals to all children in households on Universal Credit from September 2026; national rollout of free breakfast clubs for state primaries from April 2026; and removal of the Universal Credit two‑child limit from April 2026, announced at Budget 2025. (gov.uk)
Implementation is staged. The white paper sequences alignment to best practice across AY 2025/26–2026/27; preparatory activity for SEND and curriculum reforms from AY 2026/27, with a new national curriculum landing in 2027; and full implementation from AY 2028/29. National Inclusion Standards are due to guide practice by 2028, and the consultation sets out how transitions from EHCPs to the new model would occur from 2029/30 where appropriate. (assets.publishing.service.gov.uk)
For school and trust leaders this creates immediate tasks. Governing bodies should begin work on an Inclusion Strategy, map provision to Ofsted’s evaluation areas-including inclusion-and plan how the Inclusive Mainstream Fund would be used locally. Leaders should also prepare for the September 2026 free school meals eligibility change and consider applying for participation in the breakfast clubs rollout; those wishing to shape the SEND reforms have until 18 May 2026 to respond to the consultation. (gov.uk)
Accountability and transparency are set to tighten. Inclusion Strategy Reports will be used to evidence how the Inclusive Mainstream Fund and wider resources are deployed, supporting Ofsted’s assessment and peer scrutiny. The white paper also signals trust‑level inspection, movement to a direct national funding formula and a larger schools budget-£67.0 billion in 2026–27-intended to underpin the shift to inclusive mainstream. (assets.publishing.service.gov.uk)
Capacity is a known constraint. Government plans include over £40 million to expand the educational psychology and speech and language therapy workforce, and Ofsted has committed to externally evaluate the renewed inspection framework during 2025/26 to test impact and adjust as required. (assets.publishing.service.gov.uk)
The policy direction is clear: inclusion is now a formal performance expectation, supported by dedicated funding, stronger inspection and system‑level support. The consultation on SEND reform opened on 23 February 2026 and closes on 18 May 2026; the Department is seeking views on the design and phasing of the changes before final decisions are taken. (consult.education.gov.uk)