North Tyneside Council bosses have approved a consultation with carers, parents, and schools on how to improve special educational needs provision.
The local authority’s cabinet signed off on a consultation to help expand the capacity for children in ‘Additional Resourced Provision’ (ARP) and ‘Special Educational Need’ units (SEN) with social, emotional and mental health needs. The council is also aiming to create more provision for pupils on the autism spectrum and children with speech, language and communication needs.
Council documents state that there are 137 funded ARP places for the 2023/2024 academic year. The local authority has committed to adding an extra 114 places by 2028.
ARPs and SEN units allow children with special educational requirements to receive specialist care while remaining in mainstream care. The consultation is scheduled to begin in the autumn term 2024.
Cabinet member responsible for inclusion, employment, and skills, Coun Steven Phillips said: “In North Tyneside, we have an education system to be proud of with schools and officers working together to drive inclusion and improve outcomes for all children and young people. The key priority is to develop a range of provisions to better reflect the needs of children and young people with special educational needs and disabilities."
Coun Phillips continued: “The aim is to ensure that children and young people have access to additional special educational needs provision that is high quality, inclusive, and sustainable.”
The local authority will also consult on plans to extend the specialist provision of Silverdale School for children with social, emotional and mental health needs. The proposals, following the consultation, will then be considered by the council’s director of children’s service, alongside colleagues.
If required, the final decision will be taken by the cabinet in early 2025 in line with the Department for Education guidance on making such changes to authority-led schools.
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