The SEND property market in focus: A Q&A with Alex Ringer, The Harkalm Group
For our latest Q&A blog post, Molly James (Business Agent – Childcare & Education, Christie & Co) spoke with Alex Ringer (Head of SEND, The Harkalm Group) about his views on the SEND market and expectations for the sector going forward.
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WHAT ARE YOUR VIEWS ON THE RECENT GOVERNMENT WHITE PAPER ON SEND REFORMS?
“The direction of travel is clear: more learners with SEND absorbed into mainstream settings, with independent special schools focused on higher acuity and more complex needs. Whether mainstream schools are genuinely equipped to deliver that is another matter entirely. My concern is a generation of SEND children falling into the middle, not complex enough to secure an independent placement, yet not well-served by a mainstream system that is still getting up to speed.
“A 165% rise in pupils placed in independent special schools since 2014 does not reverse overnight, and the property market reflects that; high-quality, purpose-fit assets will continue to transact well. Operators are already repositioning around fees and acuity of care, which I expect to accelerate.
“But the real test of these reforms is simple: do learners have stability, and do families have trust in the system, and most importantly, will it improve outcomes for children? I have yet to see the evidence that it will deliver any of these.”
WHERE DO YOU SEE THE SEND MARKET IN FIVE YEARS?
“In five years, I see the independent special school market remaining fundamentally buoyant. Demand is structural, not cyclical. No amount of policy reform changes the reality that there will always be children whose needs require specialist provision that mainstream simply cannot replicate.
“The market will sharpen around operators who can demonstrate genuine specialism, excellent outcomes, and transparent cost structures. Those who can will thrive; those who cannot will struggle to secure placements as local authorities become more discerning commissioners.
“The fundamentals remain strong, and the need for outstanding operators delivering life-changing outcomes for young people with complex needs is not going away.”
WHERE DOES THE HARKALM GROUP SEE ITSELF ADDING VALUE IN THIS SECTOR?
“At Harkalm, we specialise in sourcing the best off-market opportunities for our operator partners. We will continue doing exactly that. But we also know that as the sector evolves, so will the property brief. Whether that means different spatial requirements, closer proximity to communities, or buildings better suited to higher acuity care, we will adapt to meet those needs as they emerge. Staying ahead of the curve is what we do.
“With over 80 educational transactions completed over the last five years and set allocated funds in 2026 to grow the portfolio, we have the firepower and the network to move decisively when the right opportunity presents itself. Our SEND operator partners benefit from that speed and certainty. In a sector where trust and deliverability matter above all else, having a landlord and property partner who delivers on their commitments is not a nice-to-have; it is fundamental.”
WHAT WOULD YOU LIKE TO SEE HAPPEN IN THE SECTOR?
“Above everything else, I want to see better outcomes for learners with SEND. That has to be the measure against which every policy decision, every reform, and every commissioning choice is judged; not cost savings, not placement numbers, but whether children are actually thriving, not just doing well enough.
“That requires genuine commitment from the Government. The sector has seen enough reviews and consultations. What it needs now is clarity, follow-through, and a willingness to invest in the long term rather than manage short-term pressures. Families and operators alike need to trust that the system is working for the children at its centre, not around them.
“More broadly, I want us to aim higher educationally as a country. Every child deserves school years that are fulfilling, nurturing and full of possibility, and that ambition should apply equally to children with complex needs. The independent special school sector, at its best, demonstrates what is possible when the right environment, the right people and the right resources come together. That standard should be the aspiration for the whole system.”
To find out more about our services in the SEND sector, get in touch with Molly: molly.james@christie.com or +44 7355 626 552