Decision

To:

·       approve the release of £4.4m from High Needs Capital to the Capital Programme to deliver DSP and SEND Unit places between 2026–2029.

·       delegate authority to the Director of Education to agree final school sites and configuration of places, following feasibility work and due diligence, including reports and updates to relevant strategic boards.

Reasons for the decision

Deliver Specialist Inclusion places through Designated Specialist Provisions (DSPs) and SEND Units across Leicester. It responds to increasing demand for specialist SEND provision and builds on the success of DSP Phases 1 and 2.

The expansion will provide more children and young people with SEND access to high-quality specialist support within their local mainstream schools, helping them achieve positive outcomes while strengthening whole-school inclusion. It will also reduce reliance on more costly external placements and support the council's High Needs Block recovery and sustainability plans.