SEND provision plans by council are well on track

PLANS to develop local provision for children with special educational needs (SEND) across the county are well on track.

Planning, building and refurbishment work at 15 new ‘resource bases’ has continued across the summer months as part of the county council’s commitment to invest over £30m in SEND and create almost 700 extra places, some of which have already opened for the start of the academic year.

The new SEND provision includes the expansion of six of the county council’s special schools, including the creation of a new block for post-16 Maplewell Hall pupils on the Charnwood College campus in Loughborough.

Overall, the SEND programme comprises of 31 schemes, 11 of which started to admit pupils in September, and a further five are expected to do so by Easter 2020.

The ‘ resource bases’ will cater for pupils with communication and interaction needs (C &I) which includes ASC (Autism Spectrum Condition) or social, emotional and needs (SEMH).

Selected schools in towns such as Loughborough, Melton, Hinckley and, Ashby are either having existing space refurbished, or extensions built.

Coun Ivan Ould, cabinet member for children and families, said: “This is a challenging and ambitious programme of work and we’re pleased that everything is progressing really well.

“We know that parents are already taking a keen interest in the new provision, which has mental health the other tremendous benefit of being entirely geared around local placements. We’re very appreciative of the support being given by schools to help us achieve our goals.”

The county council is progressing the expansion of all six existing Leicestershire special schools.

The progress being made is highlighted in a report which also outlines that the High Needs Block continues to face financial challenges with a current overspend of around £6m.

The report outlines that projections predict a 22 per cent increase in demand for SEND provision over the next five years with a 52 per cent rise in the number of Education, Health and Care plans over the past six years.

If parents of children in either category would like their child to be considered for a possible placement, they should contact their local SEN officer or the wider team at senaservice@ leics.gov.uk

More information on the council’s SEND provision is available at https://bit. ly/2VIwmSu