PLANS to improve the lives of Dorset children with SEND (special educational needs and or a disability) have been unveiled by Dorset Council.

A total of £37.5m has been secured for the next five years to help deliver the council’s aim, set out in its Children’s Plan, of providing the best education for Dorset children and young people with SEND.

The plans include the creation of new special schools with great facilities and the expansion of high quality provision at Dorset’s existing special schools.

Dorset Council has developed these plans because the need for more special educational provision is increasing.

There were 1,000 children and young people with Education, Health and Care Plans in Dorset in 2015, but by 2020 it had almost doubled to nearly 3,000.

Dorset Council Portfolio Holder for Children, Education and Early Help, Cllr Andrew Parry said: "I am proud of these ambitious plans, which I believe will improve the lives of Dorset children and young people with SEND.

"I know people will ask ‘why are we spending money at this difficult time’ but we have to, firstly because we want to make Dorset the best place to grow-up for all children and young people, but also because creating our own high quality provision will save money in the longer term."

The council also wants to develop new facilities at many mainstream schools, such as special bases, to support children and young people with SEND.

These plans, which were recently approved by councillors, will be examined again at the council's Cabinet meeting on April 6 when the Capital Programme for 2021-22 is considered.

Plans for a new school specifically for children with autism and complex learning difficulties are also underway and form part of the strategy to create more SEND provision.