Government unveils support for children with SEND in Central Bedfordshire
33 new special free schools nationwide will be built which to provide thousands of additional specialist places
More specialist school places will be provided across Central Bedfordshire and staff training will be expanded to ensure children with special educational needs and disabilities (Send) can get the help that they need earlier.
The Department for Education has published its long-awaited improvement plan to provide high-quality, early support to children with Send across England in a bid to end the postcode lottery.
As part of the plan, a selection of local authorities - including Central Bedfordshire - have been approved for 33 new special free schools.
33 new special free schools will be built which will provide thousands of additional specialist places for children with Send.
The DfE said £30 million will also go towards developing innovative approaches for short breaks for children, young people and their families, providing respite for families of children with complex needs.
The programme funds local areas to test new services including play, sports, arts and independent living activities, allowing parents time to themselves.
It comes after parents of disabled children have reportedly given up their jobs due to a lack of support.
Campaigners and leaders in the education sector warned that the Government's plan "falls short" of the urgent reforms needed to address the "crisis" in support for children with Send and their families.
The DfE has said it will make sure the process for assessing children's needs through Education Health and Care Plans (EHCPs), which help pupils to access support in school, is digital-first, quicker and simpler wherever possible.
Claire Coutinho, minister for children, families and wellbeing, said: "Parents know that their children only get one shot at education and this can have an enormous impact on their child's ability to get on with life.
"Yet for some parents of children with Special Educational Needs and Disabilities, getting their child that superb education that everyone deserves can feel like a full-time job.
Jo Hutchinson, director for Send and additional needs at the Education Policy Institute, said: "These plans include some important incremental improvements but they fall short of being transformational."