New paper: Making the most of your Inclusive Mainstream Fund
Resources|14th September 2026
PD Specialist — Steplab
A practical guide for school leaders on making the most of the Inclusive Mainstream Fund - from deciding where to focus investment to building an evidence-informed Inclusion Strategy.
The Inclusive Mainstream Fund gives schools an important opportunity to strengthen provision for pupils with SEND.
But deciding where to invest - and how to turn that investment into meaningful, sustained change - can be difficult.
Our practical guide, written by Krissy Yates, PD Specialist at Steplab and former Director of Inclusion, helps you work through the Department for Education's priorities and build an evidence-informed approach to inclusion across your school.
What’s inside
Download the guide to explore:
- 1.The seven DfE themes for evidence-informed inclusive practice.
- 2.Practical guidance to help you decide where to focus investment.
- 3.Adaptable wording to support your school’s Inclusion Strategy.
- 4.Ways to strengthen high-quality teaching and the universal offer.
- 5.Practical examples of how professional development, coaching and implementation can support lasting change.
The guide is designed to help schools turn IMF priorities into practical improvements in everyday teaching and support leaders completing their Inclusion Strategy by the 31 December 2026 deadline.
And if you're ready to see how Steplab can help strengthen inclusive teaching across your school, book a demo to see it in action.
