The Inclusive Mainstream Fund (IMF) for 2026–27 introduces a significant shift in how schools are expected to plan, deliver, and demonstrate inclusive practice.

While the funding itself is allocated automatically, accountability sits firmly with schools.

By 31 December 2026, every school must publish an inclusion strategy outlining how this funding will be used to improve outcomes for pupils with SEND.

Why this matters

This is not simply a compliance exercise.

The inclusion strategy is intended to:

• make spending transparent
• align funding with pupil need
• embed inclusion across the whole school
• demonstrate measurable impact

Schools that treat this as a “SEND document” risk missing the point. This is a whole-school strategy.

What must be included

1. Clear use of funding

Schools must specify how IMF funding will be spent.

This should go beyond broad statements and include:

• staffing approaches
• targeted support
• professional development
• classroom adaptations

2. A whole-school inclusion approach

The strategy should articulate how inclusion is embedded in everyday practice.

This includes:

• adaptive teaching
• universal provision
• inclusive classroom culture

Inclusion should not sit separately from teaching and learning.

3. Evidence-informed decision making

Schools should demonstrate how decisions are based on:

• pupil needs
• SEND profiles
• attainment and progress data
• local context

This ensures funding is used strategically.

4. Intended impact

Schools must define what success looks like.

For example:

• improved access to the curriculum
• better progress for pupils with SEND
• reduced need for exclusion or external provision

5. Monitoring and evaluation

A strong strategy explains how impact will be reviewed.

This might include:

• data tracking
• provision reviews
• leadership oversight
• regular strategy updates

6. Publication

The strategy must be:

• publicly available (typically on the school website)
• accessible and understandable to parents and stakeholders

What strong strategies do differently

Effective strategies connect:

Need → Action → Impact

They avoid:

• listing interventions without rationale
• focusing only on provision rather than teaching
• separating SEND from whole-school improvement

Final thought

The IMF is an opportunity.

Done well, this strategy becomes more than a requirement — it becomes a blueprint for inclusive education across your school.