(UK) Somerset: Council to spend $7M to boost SPED support; "number of plans increasing significantly"

July 10, 2026, Somerset Council agrees £5.3 million investment to improve SEND support

Somerset Council has agreed a £5.3 million [$7M] investment over the next two years to strengthen support for children and young people with Special Educational Needs and Disabilities (SEND).

The funding will be used to increase capacity across SEND services, help reduce delays in Education, Health and Care Needs Assessments (EHCNAs), improve the timeliness of Education, Health and Care Plans (EHC plans), and provide additional support for young people preparing for adulthood.

Demand for SEND services has continued to grow in recent years. At the end of May 2026, there were 6,578 children and young people with an EHC plan in Somerset, with the number of plans increasing significantly over the last five years.

The investment will fund additional Education Psychologists, SEND officers, business support and temporary specialist staff to help services respond to growing demand and improve timescales.