Government announces £4bn SEND investment: What BHTA members need to know

The UK Government has announced a £4 billion investment to transform support for children and young people with special educational needs and disabilities (SEND). The reforms aim to make every school truly inclusive and ensure children with additional needs receive better, more tailored support.

The government states that these reforms, outlined in the ‘Every child achieving and thriving‘ policy paper, will help end the postcode lottery of SEND support that too many families experience, ensuring more children – regardless of need – can attend their local school.

Key announcements for  BHTA members

Several elements of the government’s plans are particularly relevant to BHTA members supplying assistive technology, mobility equipment, and accessible learning solutions:

• Inclusive Mainstream Fund – £1.6 billion over three years: Funding will be directed to early years settings, schools, and colleges to deliver adaptive teaching and targeted interventions. This includes using technology to support communication, mobility, and sensory needs.
• Capital investment in inclusive spaces – £3.7 billion: The government will create 60,000 new places for children with SEND, including 10,000 already delivered, through major capital investment. This will also fund accessibility upgrades across mainstream schools to create inclusive learning environments.
• Operational transformation funding – £200 million: Local authorities will receive £200 million to modernise how they deliver SEND services in line with national reforms while maintaining current provision.
• Expansion of assistive and adaptive provision: Local authorities will be encouraged to strengthen their SEND strategies with adaptive equipment and inclusive teaching resources, helping students access learning in mainstream settings.
• Local commissioning and partnership working: Funding will be managed through local authorities and Integrated Care Boards, with a focus on collaborative delivery. This may create new opportunities for BHTA members to engage with education and care providers in developing local accessibility and adaptation solutions.

What this means for members

Procurement will increasingly occur through both direct school-level purchasing and local authority-led commissioning, broadening the routes through which members may supply equipment and services.

Settings will also be held accountable for outcomes achieved through inclusion funding, which may increase demand for evidence-based products and supplier-provided training or evaluation support.

The introduction of new digital Individual Support Plans (ISPs) and nationally defined Specialist Provision Packages may, over time, influence how equipment and interventions are specified and evidenced in schools.

Implementation will roll out gradually from 2026, with major capital investment and inclusion funding programmes continuing through to 2030. These measures signal sustained investment in inclusive design and adaptive technology across the education sector. BHTA members providing mobility, access, and assistive products may see greater demand from schools and local authorities upgrading their facilities or implementing early intervention support.

As implementation progresses, members are encouraged to track local procurement plans and explore partnerships with education and health services to support the delivery of these reforms.