£4m funding boost proposed for SEND places

Tuesday, 28 April 2026 15:59

By Shaun Moore

Wiltshire Council is set to consider accepting £4.08 million in funding to expand support for children with special educational needs.

The money, from the Department for Education, would be used to create new high-needs places across the county.

Plans include progressing with a new 130-place Social, Emotional and Mental Health school at Westbury, to be delivered with Brunel Multi Academy Trust.

In addition, the council wants to create at least 80 more specialist places by investing directly in local provision rather than continuing with two previously planned alternative provision free schools.

Council leaders say the approach will allow support to be delivered more quickly and closer to children’s homes and communities.

Cabinet members are due to discuss the proposal at a meeting on April 29.

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