NEEDS of vulnerable young people were made priority at last week’s Cabinet meeting when a new education strategy was given the green light, writes Anu Shukla.
The Special Educational Needs and or/Disability (SEND) Strategy was endorsed by the Health and Wellbeing Board.
It aims to improve outcomes for children and young adults who have special educational needs and / or a disability.
Education and skills cabinet member Coun Marcus Hart said: “Children and young people with SEND deserve to be supported and encouraged to reach their full potential, including, where possible, living independent lives.”
The strategy itself will be dependent on a partnership between Worcestershire County Council and strategic health bodies.
Latest school census data has shown there are currently 10,863 children and young adults who have been identified with SEND support needs.
This equates to 12.5 per cent of the whole school population.
A net of £214.5million from the Dedicated Schools Grant will help fund the strategy.
Worcestershire County Council will also be allocating an additional £11.6million of its base budget to help roll out the plan.
