Children and families across West Cumbria will benefit from a major funding boost to improve support for pupils with Special Educational Needs and Disabilities (SEND), as part of the government’s record investment in inclusive education.
Cumberland Council will receive £4.2 million from the latest round of high needs capital funding – an increase of £1.3 million compared to last year – to create more specialist places and improve facilities for children with SEND.
The funding forms part of a national package worth more than £3 billion, with £860 million being allocated to councils this year alone – the largest ever single investment in SEND school places.
This will help ensure more children and young people in West Cumbria can attend a school closer to home, reducing long travel times and enabling them to learn alongside their peers in supportive, inclusive environments.
Whitehaven and Workington MP and Minister for Children and Families Josh MacAlister said:
“Every child in West Cumbria deserves the chance to thrive at their local school, supported to achieve their full potential.
“This £4.2 million investment is a major step forward for families across our communities. It will help create more specialist places, improve school facilities, and ensure children with SEND can access the support they need without having to travel miles from home.
“For too long, families have faced a postcode lottery when it comes to SEND provision. This funding is about putting that right – delivering better outcomes for children and restoring parents’ confidence in the system.”
As part of the funding, councils are expected to prioritise increasing SEND provision within mainstream schools, including the expansion of Inclusion Bases – specialist facilities within schools that provide tailored support while allowing pupils to remain part of mainstream education.
The investment can also be used to improve school buildings, making them more accessible and inclusive through adaptations such as better lighting, acoustics, and sensory-friendly environments.
The announcement comes alongside wider investment, including £500 million per year for schools and colleges to improve inclusion, and additional funding to expand specialist places for pupils with the most complex needs.
This latest investment marks a significant step in the government’s long-term reforms to ensure every child – regardless of need – can access a high-quality, inclusive education close to home.
Josh MacAlister MP 