'No more lengthy assessments': New funding to bring therapists directly to Dorset schools
Bournemouth West MP Jessica Toale has welcomed an extra £2.5 million to provide dedicated support for children with special educational needs
A Bournemouth MP has welcomed an extra £2.5million in funding for a brand-new SEND Programme.
The investment will allow for a ‘Experts at Hand’ offer to be set up which will give children earlier access to speech and language therapists, occupational therapists, and educational psychologists.
The offer will involve partnerships between special schools, alternative provision and mainstream settings to put support in place without needing to go through lengthy assessment processes.
Final guidance for Expert at Hand offers will be published next month and will set out how funding should be used and the grant conditions associated with it.
BCP Council has previously received £5.5million high needs capital allocations as part of a £3billion investment, to create new specialist SEND places and enable more children to attend their local school.
A BCP Spokesperson said: “We welcome any funding from the government that can help achieve an inclusive and financially sustainable SEND system that works for every child, young person and family.
“We await further information from the Department for Education on this programme.”
Jessica Toale MP for Bournemouth West said: “I’ve heard from families in Bournemouth West about the incredible waits they’ve faced to get the support their children deserve.
“The motivation behind Labour’s changes to the SEND system is to put support in place earlier and more quickly, so issues don’t escalate and families get the help they need without a fight.
“Experts at Hand will open up access to specialist support that for too long has been unattainable, so that every child in Bournemouth West can achieve and thrive.”
Minister for School Standards, Georgia Gould, said: “We’re getting on and backing councils with the funding needed to transform the system and make sure every young person receives the right support early on.
“Our Experts at Hand offer will make sure families don’t face a postcode lottery in support by boosting teacher capacity and ensuring nurseries, schools and colleges across the country have access to a bank of specialists who are ready to provide the additional help children may need.”