Published
By Ashley Cox
With the future shape of SEND education and its allocated funding in England making headline news this month, following publication of the potentially reformative Schools White Paper, CPC would like to affirm its position as an ardent supporter and trusted partner of SEND pupils, students and staff.
From everyday purchasing framework resources to Giving Back projects and empowering events, CPC's commitment to SEND learners has only increased of late and we are ready to assist SEND education providers in a number of ways, moving forward.
On 2nd February 2026, CPC launched a new Education Professional Services framework, Lot 1 of which provides our members with convenient, compliant access to a range of specialist SEND Advisory Services, as provided by its three approved suppliers, ESS Education and Support Services, Medicure Professionals Ltd. and OneEducation.
Through this dedicated lot, suppliers can provide services to mainstream and special schools alike, helping to identify ways to best implement the processes and policies which can provide SEND learners with the appropriate support. In addition, the lot offers institutions professional solutions for optimised pupil management and plan implementation, as well as preparation for any fluctuation in numbers of pupils classified as SEND. Read on for more or contact Procurement Manager, Katherine Orme.
Elsewhere, we continue to offer more than 80 additional frameworks for use across the SEND sector, encompassing categories that may attract a strong uptake from special education institutions, or responsible local authorities. An example would be the Sustainable Fleet Solutions framework, along with its adjacent Student Transport Dynamic Purchasing System, each of which can drive potential savings via the collaborative purchasing power of CPC or Crescent Services (our wider public sector wing).
SEND education also stands at the heart of CPC's signature Giving Back efforts, with the 2025 refocus of our flagship charitable initiative duly positioning SEND support as one of our charity's three interconnected objectives (along with improving learners' physical and mental wellbeing and battling absenteeism within education).
It had previously been observed that significant financial challenges faced by SEND institutions, in particular, meant they could really benefit from as much help as possible, with CPC therefore stepping up to do what we can, using the Giving Back vehicle.
Following CPC's sponsorship and presentation of the SEN Provision Award at the prior year's Education Business Awards, our newly-refined focus on SEND support was confirmed by Managing Director, Darren Lowe, who stated "We took the proposed new approach to Giving Back through all our different decision-making stages and, at every one, we've been pushing against an open door. Everyone that's heard about this (SEND) cause has been on board with it, so... let's pin our colours to this mast”.
Giving Back had already been making a difference for SEND institutions around the UK, from providing new outdoor gym and activity equipment at John Grant School in Great Yarmouth to facilitating engagement-driving drama workshops for the Unity Schools Partnership to empowering Zouch Academy in their efforts to support young learners from a variety of backgrounds.
In 2025, with SEND support a clear, established objective in the Giving Back programme's remit, CPC took things to another level, giving the green-light to a series of SEND initiatives that we look forward to sharing with you across the course of this year, as our funding turns proposals into reality and ideas into legacy.
Last month, we shared how CPC Giving Back funding enabled the creation of The Sanctuary at York College, with its Sensory Nook providing an impactful, targeted resource for SEND students, helping better equip them for calmer, productive learning. We are pleased to now report how funds allowed Applecroft School in Welwyn Garden City to kit out their own sensory area.
On top of our recurring Giving Back opportunities, CPC is also supporting the SEND space via its CPC Inclusion Cup events, which have expanded from an initial, one-off event in 2025 to a multi-day competition for North West and North East SEND learners, providing all with access to world-famous facilities through our partnership with the Manchester United Foundation. The inaugural Inclusion Cup welcomed players from across Greater Manchester to The Cliff training ground and Old Trafford stadium, creating outstanding memories for the students, who even had the chance to try on United stars' jerseys and boots.
From class to college to the football field, there's no substitute for CPC's commitment to SEND support - and we are privileged to continue making a difference in this important field, striving to provide a more level playing field for the UK's SEND learners.
As we assess the fallout from the Department for Education's recent Schools White Paper announcement, CPC encourages any members with SEND responsibilities to contact us with their queries or suggestions. As ever, we are here to help you...