Extra 500 special needs school places created in Wiltshire

The additional special school places will ensure children stay closer to home in Wiltshire

An additional 500 school places are to be created for children with special educational needs and disabilities (SEND).

A five-year investment plan for Wiltshire Council has been approved by the Department for Education.

The plan was drafted jointly with schools, parents and carers.

The agreement will ensure children stay closer to home in Wiltshire, creating what one county councillor said was a "sustainable future".

It also includes investment in more resource bases which provide SEND support in mainstream schools and fund new teams to provide early support for children and their families.

The plan is part of the government Safety Valve programme, a Department for Education programme that works with councils who have very high overspends in their high needs block budget.

Since 2018/19 that budget has been under increasing pressure across councils in England.

Wiltshire councillor Laura Mayes, cabinet member for children's services, said: "We have a clear way forward to do three things; secure long-term investment in SEND in Wiltshire, address the overspend issues in a managed way and create a long-term sustainable future."

Councillor Jane Davies, cabinet member for SEND, added: "The plan was co-designed with schools, parents and carers, health and care professionals and most importantly with children.

"We know the next few years will be challenging as we work together on a new approach to SEND and it is important, we continue to work together so we can action our plan and provide sustainable SEND support and opportunities for every child to thrive."