Project 20: Mainstream Inclusion Project

The Mainstream Inclusion project was launched in the summer of 2025, led by Marian Cullen and Emma Stone, both SESLIP associates. The project part of the South East Sector Led Improvement Programme (SESLIP) which is funded through the DfE Regional Improvement and Innovation Alliance (RIIA) SEND grant, as set out in the SESLIP Regional Improvement Plan 2026-27 and RIIA Grant Delivery Plan July 2026: https://www.seslip.co.uk/regional-improvement-plan/

The project has developed for 2026-27 with Jude Macdonald joining the team as an additional SESLIP associate. Jude remains active in school leadership, working as Director of Inclusion at Diamond Learning Partnership Trust, alongside her consultancy work.

Project No. 20 (Mainstream Inclusion Project) is positioned under the SEND Universal Improvement strand and is intended to support local areas to develop pragmatic, effective and collaborative approaches that increase confidence and knowledge around including children and young people with SEND in mainstream settings.

The plan describes a focus on consolidating and building on existing materials by developing the work of the Community of Practice, responding to the needs as they arise throughout the SEND reform and providing a range of practical resources to support knowledge and communications.

A focus on supporting LAs with their development of the Experts at Hand model will continue to be a key focus of the Community of Practice. Authorities across the region have approached the model with their local area’s context in mind. The project will allow for reflections, lessons learned and shared practice to develop confidence in the systems.

This project is being delivered in the context of the Schools White Paper Every child achieving and thriving (Department for Education, published 23 February 2026). The White Paper sets out a long-term direction of travel for the school system that places inclusion at its centre, with an explicit aim to ensure that children who have previously been sidelined are included and supported to achieve and thrive. In relation to SEND, it signals a shift towards stronger and more consistent support in mainstream settings, earlier identification and intervention, and improved access to specialist expertise and multi-agency support without unnecessary escalation to statutory processes.

In this context, Project 20’s focus on mainstream inclusion regional/community-of-practice supports the White Paper’s emphasis on building mainstream capability through shared standards, practical resources and workforce development, alongside stronger local collaboration between schools, local authorities and wider partners.

Feedback from the SE19 Experts at Hand survey clearly indicated the strength of the community, with 16 Authorities responding. Data and feedback have, through the Community of Practice led to a shared SEND Reforms timeline document highlighting the complexity of the changes for schools, and an initial co-production of communications for Authorities to share with parents, schools and children and young people. 

Resources from sessions

Once the Mainstream Inclusion Community of Practice meeting has taken place, resources will be added to the drop down menus below.