Inclusion Now 74 | Spring 2026

Welcome to the 74th edition of Inclusion Now magazine, inclusive education news including SEND financial time bomb, SEN units, accessible transport, the emotional impact of segregation and more.

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Inclusion Now is produced in collaboration with ALLFIE, World of Inclusion and Inclusive Solutions

Inclusion Now 74 Audio

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Editorial

By Edmore Masendeke.

SEND Financial Time Bomb taken on Board by Government

Soaring SEND deficits and costly placements in private special schools are threatening Inclusive Education for Disabled children. Richard Rieser, World of Inclusion, warns that without urgent funding, accountability, and real commitment to mainstream inclusion, the system risks widening inequality and excluding the very students it should support.

Scandalous Profiteering Wasting Millions of Public Money

A Crippen cartoon

Separate is Never Equal

Ruth Walton explores whether we are creating silos for Disabled students with ‘SEN’ Units within mainstream schools. Her recent research of secondary schools reveals alarming levels of segregation, which leave many children isolated and excluded

Enough is Enough! The time has come to recognise that segregation is wrong

By Linda Jordan, Senior Development Adviser at National Development Team for Inclusion (NDTi)

SEN Units, Resource Provisions and Inclusion Bases

Matthew Wyard, Barrister, and ALLFIE’s Michelle Daley and Edmore Masendeke, Alliance for Inclusive Education ask: Is there a difference between SEN Units and Specialist Resource Provision? Are they compatible with the principle of Inclusive Education or the Equality Act 2010? What about inclusion bases?

Transport across a lifetime: SEND transport and Motability need to be protected

Every young person deserves the freedom to go further! Sophia Kleanthous from Transport for All highlights inaccessible public transport, cuts to SEND transport, and how Motability changes make everyday journeys harder and limit opportunities for Disabled people.

The Emotional and Mental Health Impact of Segregated Education

Maresa MacKeith, and Derek Wilson and Colin Newton from Inclusive Solutions explore how segregation signals to some young people they don’t belong, and why true inclusion helps all children flourish, connect, and participate.

Systematic barriers force young Disabled people out of education, employment and training

Edmore Masendeke, ALLFIE’s Policy and Research Lead, warns that systemic barriers in education, training, and employment push many Disabled young people out of opportunity, reinforcing inequality. Urgent action is needed to ensure Inclusive Education, meaningful work, and full participation for all!

Legal Question

The legal question was posed by David Buxton, Chief Executive of Disability Rights UK, and answered by Polly Kerr from Simpson Millar Solicitors.

Supported by

ALLFIE’s campaign for Inclusive Education as a human right is backed by funders and donors who reject the systemic segregation of Disabled people from society.