MORE than £30million additional capital investment into special educational needs and disabilities (SEND) is being made by Worcestershire County Council over the next three years.
The funding, approved alongside the County Council budget, will enable additional specialist and enhanced education provision for children and young people with SEND.
This investment will create additional education provision in Worcestershire, improve local access to support and help reduce the strain on the council’s already stretched budget.
The £30.1million will be used to make changes to mainstream schools to make them more accessible, create more nursery places for pre-school age children with complex needs and develop SEND units attached to mainstream schools.
Coun David Chambers, Worcestershire County Council’s cabinet member for education, said: “There is a growing need for suitable education provision and support for children and young people with SEND.
“This significant investment will support us to provide more education provision in Worcestershire and reduce reliance on high-cost placements.
“Most importantly, it will create better opportunities for children and young people with SEND.
“We are actively listening to parent carers of children with SEND, young people and professionals to ensure their voices shape the improvements we make and understand access to local education provision that meets their children’s needs is a major concern across the county.
“We are committed to improving this as a priority.”
