Additional funding allocated for children with special educational needs

The Department for Education has announced a new package of support to provide additional assistance for children with special educational needs and disabilities (SEND).

A total of £45 million has been put aside to help support councils and other organisations involved in overseeing the teaching and support of this vulnerable pupil population, with a particular focus to be placed on putting families at the heart of the system.

Of this total, £29 million will be used to empower councils and their local partners to continue pressing ahead with implementation of key reforms to the SEND system, including the introduction of tailored education, and health and care plans that are designed to meet the individual needs of the young person in question.

Additionally, £9.7 million will be used to establish local supported internship forums, designed to help create work placements for young people with SEND, thus allowing them to develop the skills and confidence they require to move successfully from education into paid work. The funding will also help to to train job coaches to facilitate these efforts.

Finally, £4.6 million has been made available to help set up special parent-carer forums, which will bring parents together with local decision-makers to ensure their voices and opinions are heard.

Robert Goodwill, minister for children and families, said: "We have taken action to fundamentally reform support for children with special educational needs, making sure that families are at the heart of the process and care plans are tailored to individuals - and our survey of parents tells us that this has made a difference to so many of these families.

"Councils are making encouraging progress, but there is still work to be done to fully embed this improved system across education, health and care sectors."