Gloucestershire to receive £21m for SEND support transformation
Funding to enhance educational support for children with special needs
Last updated 19th Oct 2026
Children and young people in Gloucestershire are set to benefit from an investment of over £21 million aimed at transforming support for those with Special Educational Needs and Disabilities (SEND).
Gloucestershire County Council’s Cabinet is expected to approve acceptance of a £21.781 million grant from the Department for Education at a meeting on 21st October 2026.
The funding will drive the introduction of the "Experts at Hand" initiative as part of a three-year SEND Reform programme, which will bring specialist support, such as educational psychologists and therapists, directly into schools.
This move is designed to provide help earlier and within local education settings, reducing delays and the need for children to travel for support.
The programme will phase in between 2026 and 2029 and will bolster Gloucestershire’s SEND Reform Implementation Plan, aiming to improve mainstream inclusion and outcomes.
Councillor Linda Cohen, Gloucestershire County Council’s Cabinet Member for Education and Skills, expressed optimism about the investment's impact.
“This significant investment will make a real difference to children and families across Gloucestershire,” Councillor Cohen said. “We can provide support much earlier, helping children get the help they need when they need it most.”
If Cabinet approval is granted, the funding will support programme delivery through March 2029, aiming to enhance inclusive education across the county.