Sandwell Council's Cabinet has approved more than £2.5 million to create additional specialist support for children and young people with special educational needs and disabilities (SEND).
The largest allocation is £1.9 million for Grace Mary Primary School. The investment will fund the relocation of the school's nursery and an expansion of its specialist base to improve facilities for children with additional needs.
Growing Demand for Support
The investment responds to rising demand for SEND support across the borough. Sandwell currently maintains 5,156 Education, Health and Care Plans (EHCPs). Forecasts suggest this could increase to around 11,000 by 2030/31 if demand continues at its current rate.
Wider Plans Across Sandwell
The council will work with schools across the borough to identify opportunities for new specialist inclusion bases and additional SEND provision. The aim is to enable more children to access support close to home.
Councillor Jack Sabharwal, Cabinet Member for Education and Skills, said the council is committed to ensuring children receive "the right support, at the right time, as close to home as possible."
The investment supports the council's broader strategy to increase local SEND provision, reduce the need for children to travel outside the borough, and ensure families can access high-quality services within their own communities.
Further proposals will be developed as the council completes feasibility studies and identifies opportunities for additional specialist provision in schools across Sandwell.