Tower Hamlets Council making 'real difference' for children

Tower Hamlets Council has announced the £4.8 million programme, funded through the High Needs Provision Capital Allocation (HNPCA), to improve SEND inclusion across schools in the borough with a focus on keeping more pupils with additional needs in mainstream education.

The funding will support the creation or improvement of sensory rooms, therapeutic spaces, adapted classrooms, and other accessibility features across the borough’s schools.

Lutfur Rahman, executive mayor of Tower Hamlets, said: "Every child deserves the opportunity to thrive in a supportive and inclusive school close to home.

"This £4.8 million investment will make a real difference to children and families across our borough by improving facilities, strengthening inclusion and helping more young people with SEND flourish in mainstream education."

The goal is to enable more children with SEND to learn closer to home, reduce the need for long journeys to specialist settings, and give families greater flexibility in their choice of schools. So far, more than 30 schools have put forward proposals for inclusion projects.

Faysal Ahmed, cabinet member for children, young people and life chances, said: "This programme is about delivering practical improvements that schools have told us they need – from sensory spaces to adapted classrooms. By investing in inclusive environments, we are helping schools to support a wider range of needs and ensuring more children can learn in settings that work for them."

The scheme is part of a larger drive by the council to enhance SEND provision across the borough.

In March, a new, state-of-the-art autism resource provision opened at Hermitage Primary School, designed to provide tailored support for primary school-aged children with autism.

Additional funding of £900,000 has also been allocated to help 16-25-year-olds with SEN transition into adulthood, alongside £500,000 for 18-30-year-olds with SEND. This funding will help young people build independence through life skills programmes, and initiatives that support their transition into employment.

Schools will work closely with Tower Hamlets Council to ensure the changes meet the needs of their individual communities.

Improvements under the new scheme will be delivered in phases. The programme is subject to formal approval through the council’s capital governance process.