Commenting as the government announces the first round of funding allocations to councils to deliver more places for pupils with SEND, Paul Whiteman, general secretary of school leaders' union NAHT, said:

“This money is vital to improving the SEND system and we welcome further detail on its allocation. Councils will need to work together with schools to ensure that inclusion bases and specialist school places are delivered in the areas most needed. Currently there are not enough places and there is an unfair postcode lottery for support, with children often having to travel long distances for the right educational placement. This investment should help change that but it must be carefully utilised.

“We particularly welcome the fact that councils are being urged to use the money to deliver sufficient special school places for children and young people with the most complex needs. Inclusion is a worthy goal for many pupils but there will always be some with particularly severe needs who need specialist care and the lack of places for the most vulnerable must be urgently addressed too.”