£2 million boost for Northumberland SEND support as Labour begins fixing “broken system”

£2 million boost for Northumberland SEND support as Labour begins fixing “broken system”

Children and families across Northumberland are set to benefit from a major new investment in special educational needs and disabilities (SEND) support, as the Government confirms £2,001,857 for the county as part of a nationwide reform programme.

The funding forms part of Labour’s new “Experts at Hand” initiative, designed to bring specialist support directly into schools and communities—cutting delays and ensuring children get help earlier without parents having to fight through lengthy processes.

The announcement comes alongside a wider £429 million national investment in 2026–27 to expand access to professionals such as educational psychologists, speech and language therapists, and occupational therapists.

Fixing a system families say is “broken”

Parents across the country and here in Northumberland have long raised concerns about delays, bureaucracy, and a lack of early support.

Labour says the reforms are about restoring confidence and delivering a system that works for families.

Northumberland Labour Leader, Cllr Scott Dickinson MBE, said:

“Ask any parent in Northumberland who has tried to navigate the SEND system and they will tell you it’s not working as it should. Too many families have had to fight every step of the way just to get the support their child needs.

“This £2 million investment is a significant step forward. It means specialist support will be brought closer to home into our schools and communities so children can get help earlier, without long waits or unnecessary bureaucracy.

“This is about building a system that works for families, where inclusion is the norm and every child has the opportunity to thrive.”

The Experts at Hand programme will:

• Bring specialists directly into local schools and settings

• Provide early intervention without the need for lengthy statutory assessments

• Improve access to support across mainstream, special schools, and alternative provision

• Strengthen partnerships between education, health, and care services

This forms part of a wider national plan which also includes:

• 60,000 additional specialist places in schools and colleges

• The largest teacher training upgrade in history, equipping staff to support a wider range of needs

• Continued investment in supported internships to help young people with SEND into employment

The reforms aim to ensure that:

• Children receive the right support earlier

• Families can access help locally, without travelling long distances

• Schools are better equipped to meet a range of needs

Final guidance for councils on how to deliver the new service will be published in May.

The investment is part of a wider £1.8 billion programme over three years to transform SEND services nationally, with local authorities like Northumberland now receiving the resources needed to begin delivery.

Cllr Dickinson added:

“For too long, families have been let down. This investment shows a clear commitment to change backing local areas like Northumberland with the funding and tools needed to finally deliver a SEND system that works.”