The newly detailed school's white paper, Every Child Achieving and Thriving, alongside the upcoming Education for All Bill, is set to radically alter lower education spatial layouts. Backed by a £3.7 billion high-needs capital allocation, the government aims to create 60,000 specialist places.

For the design and build sector, this means a massive wave of retrofits to install ‘Inclusion Bases’, flexible spaces replacing traditional SEND units. Designers must focus on low-stimulation, highly legible environments featuring strict acoustic controls, ample natural light, and clear wayfinding. These spaces are purpose-built for small group work, 1-to-1 personal care, and flexible learning to accommodate a newly digitalised system of Individual Support Plans (ISPs).

The Bill confirms the government’s intention to legislate, and is not the introduction of legislation.  

The new legislation will focus on: 

• Providing early support, strong protections and fairness and ensuring children get the support they need quickly through new legal duties to put an Individual Support Plan (ISP) in place for every child and young person with SEND and National Inclusion Standards..
• Clearer protections for children with the most complex needs through reformed EHCP processes, Specialist Provision Packages and stronger oversight of Independent Special Schools. .  
• Managing a smooth transition to the new system that is centred on fairness through clear transitional protections, including a triple lock to ensure no child loses effective support as the system changes. 

These are major changes, and moving to this new system won’t happen overnight. The DofE will work with schools, local authorities and families to implement these changes, backed by £7 billion more funding for SEND support in 2028-29 than 2025-26.