(UK) Heref: Council to spend >$12M to expand SPED; 'Demand for SEND provision continues to grow'

Aug 29, 2026, SEND schools: £9 million funding from Herefordshire Council | Hereford Times 

Herefordshire Council will use more than £9 million [$12M] from the Department for Education to expand SEND provision, aiming to help more children access suitable education closer to home.

Demand for SEND support has been growing since at least 2023, with the Council tracing its roots back to the COVID-19 pandemic.

Back then the council said then that 150 new specialist school places would be needed over the next four years (2023-27).

"Demand for SEND provision continues to grow both nationally and locally, and we are committed to strengthening local provision so that more children and young people with SEND can access the right support, in the right place," said Councillor Ivan Powell, cabinet member for children and young people. . . .