A draft strategy to improve support and standards for children in Darlington with special educational needs and disabilities (SEND) has been published.

The priorities set out the council’s provision between 2025-29 and include five key areas to support children and young people.

All local specialist provision in Darlington is currently at capacity after an increase in the number of pupils with SEND in Darlington, particularly those with education, health, and care plans.

There has been a 13.5 per cent rise in requests for assessment compared to this same period in December 2022 - the largest growth being in the under-five and post-16/18 age groups. 

The local authority said: “Darlington Council and its partners, including parents, schools, colleges, health, and the voluntary sector, are ambitious for all children and young people and are committed to supporting them to achieve their best outcomes.  

“For children and young people with special educational needs aged 0-25, this requires partners, to work together to ensure that there is high-quality, integrated and inclusive education, and support that is flexible and responsive.”

Council officers are working with local partners and the national government to expand specialist capacity in the town. 

The draft strategy was coproduced with children and young people, the Darlington Parent Carer Forum, and the Integrated Care Board (ICB). The voices of children and young people have been central to developing both the strategic objectives and outcomes in the strategy, the council added. 

“Officers met with over 70 young people in early years, primary, secondary, further education, and specialist settings to ensure that young people’s priorities have shaped the development of the strategy,” the report said. 

Nick Wallis, council cabinet member for children and young people, said the authority is determined to support children and young people with SEND.

He said: “I am really pleased about the plan we have set out. This strategy looks at the five areas that are crucial to help children and young people towards adulthood.”

It is hoped the new approach will encourage a more effective pathway into adulthood and enable young people to build on life skills and support the five key aspirations:

  • Being as healthy as possible; 
  • Having good education, training and opportunities;
  •  Family, Friends and Relationships; 
  • Into Adulthood towards independence; 
  • Darlington - our town, community and environment. 

Darlington Borough Council will launch a 60-day public consultation on the draft strategy and will consider responses before recommending a final version of the strategy.