Inclusive education – DfE guidance

1 July 2026

This recently published guidance is for those involved in planning, managing, maintaining and delivering mainstream education estates, including local authorities and education leaders and practitioners.

The inclusive education estates: supporting inclusive environments in mainstream settings guidance supports users to identify and implement high-impact adaptations to improve inclusion and accessibility across their education estates. Information includes:

  • approaches to assessing the inclusivity of the estate
  • the 10 core elements of inclusive design that can support children and young people, especially those with SEND, to achieve and thrive
  • practical, high-impact adaptations to buildings and outdoor spaces
  • case studies (including images) and examples of implementation.