More children with SEND able to access support they need in their local community

SOTCC Crest
SOTCC Crest
Published: Friday, 1st November 2024

More places for children with special educational needs and disabilities (SEND) in Stoke-on-Trent will mean that more children can access the right support, at the right time,

It’s part of a strategy to increase local SEND provision which includes ambitions for new SEND and Alternative Provision (SEND) Free Schools in the city. Free Schools are government-funded, not-for-profit schools that are not run by the local authority. 

Councillor Sarah Jane Colclough, cabinet member for education and anti-poverty, said: “We’re committed to ensuring that we have an agreed vision across the city, and our partnerships, so that children and young people with SEND have the right support, at the right time, delivered by the right people. 

“Making sure that children can access the support they need in their local communities is a really important part of this so I’m really pleased that we are increasing the number of SEND school places available in the city. 

“Families of a child or young person with SEND can access support, advice and information from our fantastic Local Offer team as well as impartial confidential advice on a child or young person’s special educational needs or disability from SENDIASS.” 

The new city council Schools Capital Programme for 2024-25 consists of a number of schemes across different areas including: 

  • Basic need (where local population increases have required more places) 
  • Schemes in support of pupils with SEND 
  •  Condition issues in maintained schools where the responsibility lies with the city council 

It comes as the city council is ensuring all children in the city have a school place as a demographic bulge is expected to peak with the September 2025 year 7 intake. This academic year has seen the opening of a new Free School, Co-operative Florence MacWilliams Academy.  

For more information on the Local Offer go to: https://localoffer.stoke.gov.uk/  

For the SEND, Information, Advice and Support service (SENDIASS) go to: https://sendiass-stoke.co.uk/