Develop your Inclusion Strategy with confidence
A free inclusion strategy planning tool for mainstream schools in England to help plan how your Inclusive Mainstream Fund can have the greatest impact.
If you're already using the DfE Inclusion Strategy template, this practical planning tool will help you move beyond it by reviewing your current provision, identifying priorities, and developing a practical implementation plan.
Download your free IMF planning tool to help you:
- Review your current inclusive provision
- Align planning to the DfE's seven principles of inclusion
- Identify strengths and priorities
- Consider where IMF investment could have the greatest impact
- Develop a practical roadmap for implementation
Deadline to publish your Inclusion Strategy by 31 December 2026.
What is the Inclusive Mainstream Fund
The Inclusive Mainstream Fund (IMF) is government funding designed to help schools and settings strengthen inclusive practice and improve support for children and young people with SEND and additional needs.
Funding available from June 2026
Supports SEND and SEMH provision
Seven Department for Education (DfE) inclusion themes
Inclusion Strategy required by December 2026
BECOMING A THRIVE SCHOOL
Next steps
If you're ready to build your Inclusion Strategy with Thrive and become a Thrive School, book a conversation with our team.
The Inclusive Mainstream Fund is aimed primarily at mainstream schools and settings. Early years providers may also be exploring related inclusion funding through the Inclusive Early Years Fund (IEYF), which has separate guidance and priorities.
For schools and trusts: Inclusive Mainstream Fund guide
For early years providers: Inclusive Early Years Fund guide
The funding is aimed at mainstream schools, settings and early years providers looking to strengthen inclusion, early intervention and support for children and young people with SEND and SEMH needs.
To calculate how much funding your school will receive, the DfE have developed a Inclusive Mainstream Fund Calculator
Thrive supports schools and settings through staff training, relational practice, targeted SEMH support, early identification and whole-school or whole-setting approaches that align closely with the IMF and IEYF inclusion themes.
How Thrive Aligns with the 7 Principles of Inclusion in the Inclusive Mainstream Fund
How Thrive Aligns with the Aims of the Inclusive Early Years Fund
Watch our free on-demand webinar exploring what the Inclusive Mainstream Fund (IMF) and Inclusive Early Years Fund (IEYF) mean for schools and settings in practice.
The webinar covers:
- the key priorities within the guidance
- the 7 DfE inclusion themes
- inclusive-by-design approaches
- practical considerations for schools and early years settings
- how Thrive supports whole-setting inclusion strategies
Thrive’s Inclusion Readiness in Schools research found that capacity, staffing pressures & confidence around need remain key barriers to inclusive practice. The IMF & IEYF provide an opportunity for settings to invest in sustainable, evidence-informed support.
Thrive's free Inclusive Mainstream Fund Strategy Planning Tool has been designed to work alongside that guidance, giving school leaders a practical framework to prepare their Inclusion Strategy with confidence.
Available in separate Primary and Secondary versions, the tool supports schools to review their current provision, identify priorities and develop a clear implementation plan before completing their final strategy.