More school places for SEND children

More school places will be created for Herefordshire children with special educational needs and disabilities (SEND).

The government has given £9m to the council which said it could also spend some of the cash on making adaptions in existing schools, or acquiring new land.

The money has come from the Department for Education, following talks over more SEND investment in the county. It comes eight months after the government pulled plans for a new special school in the county.

Ivan Powell, cabinet member for children and young people, said it would allow more pupils to "access education closer to home".

The council said the £9m could be spent flexibly around SEND priorities, including creating specialist support bases within mainstream schools.

The authority has already moved to launch a consultation over the possibility of opening up a new special school in Ross-on-Wye.

It would likely cost £1.2m, and be based at the former Ryefield children's centre, taking in around 40 SEND pupils aged 4-11.

Powell added: "Demand for SEND provision continues to grow both nationally and locally - we're committed to strengthening local provision so more children with SEND can access the right support, in the right place."

Council leader Jonathan Lester has told the BBC all the county's existing special schools are over-subscribed.

Debbie Thomas, a former carer who now runs a special school in Hereford, said the money was welcome boost.

"The problem is, in education one size does not fit all - we need this type of specialist provision so children can feel safe and nurtured," she said.

"I do welcome this funding, but £9m is not a lot of money - it's pleasing to have but it will never support all the children in the way they need to be supported."

About 1,700 children across Herefordshire are currently on an education, health and care plan - a legal document which entitles them to specialist support. The figure is forecast to rise to 2,200 by 2029.

The government has said it wants to invest £3bn over the next three years into creating 50,000 more places in mainstream schools in England to cater for children with special educational needs.

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