A programme of work is underway to increase provision for children and young people with special educational needs and disabilities (SEND) in Derby.

Derby City Council plans to create more than 200 additional specialist places in the city’s schools over the next two years. 

Locally and nationally, the SEND system is experiencing increasing demand and is under significant pressure as the cost of provision outstrips funding provided by the Government. 

Providing more places within the city will mean more children will access the education they need within their own community, alongside their peers, close to their family and friends, which reduces the need for placements outside the area.

The Council’s SEND and Alternative Provision Sufficiency and Capital Investment Programme was approved by Cabinet members at their August meeting. 

The £13.5m programme sets out plans to:

  • Increase specialist support for pupils with SEND in mainstream schools, creating extra places in enhanced resource provision
  • Expand existing special schools
  • Establish a new post-16 SEND Hub 
  • Make improvements to existing mainstream schools

It is part of wider work to ensure Derby’s young people with SEND achieve their potential, and they and their families receive the right support, in the right place, at the right time.   

Councillor Paul Hezelgrave, Cabinet Member for Children, Young People and Skills, said:

We want every child and young person in Derby to have the opportunity to go to school within the city, in familiar surroundings, close to their family and friends.

Many young people with additional learning needs can make better, more sustained progress when they attend mainstream schools alongside their peers, with more going on to employment, education, and training. Alongside the clear benefits to our children, it’s also allows us to use our resources more effectively.

We’ve listened to parents’ views and worked closely with schools to develop this strategy, and this consultation will continue as we go forward.

A previously-approved scheme to improve St Clare’s Special School is also progressing. The £5.9 million investment will see the existing school building remodelled, and the construction of a new building. Contractors are now on site to complete the project, which will provide an extra 35 places and improve the school environment for 180 pupils.