Council seeking ways to boost SEND provision
BBCA council is looking at ways to increase provision for children with special educational needs and disabilities (SEND).
Hartlepool Council said there were more children with special needs than "ever before" in the town.
Council chiefs are now looking at measures including expanding Catcote Academy, Springwell School and Hartlepool College of Further Education.
Also under consideration is working with an external partner on provision for young people with autism spectrum disorder and complex behaviour issues, which should require "minimal" capital investment and could be in place for 2026/27.
The Local Democracy Reporting Service said a report on the issue went before the latest meeting of the council's children's services committee.
Councillor Melanie Morley, panel chair, stressed early intervention was key to help ensure young people were schooled in the town and given the best education possible.
Councillor Brenda Harrison added: "We are in a time when there are more children with special needs than ever before and I think schools are finding it very difficult."
Alison Sutherland, council executive director of children's services, said "a lot of work" has gone into the report which shows the "range of options that are being considered at the moment".
The local authority is awaiting the publication of the SEND White Paper which it anticipate will include an allocation for SEND/advance provision capital funding for 2026 – 2029 onwards.
If it does not receive enough funding to deliver all schemes, they will be prioritised by the greatest area of need, linked to demand and cost efficiencies, which will be reviewed annually, the report stated.
