A new focus for Government to improve outcomes for children with additional needs

The new Alternative Provision Fund aims to:

• test and develop projects to help children with additional needs
• support them back into mainstream or special schools
• involve parents and carers in their education.

 Additional support will also be given to young people as they move from alternative provision into training or further education after the age of 16.

Statistics show that within alternative provision, 77% of children are diagnosed with special educational needs or disabilities compared to 14.4 % in all schools. Data also shows that children in need are at least 10 times more likely to be in alternative provision or pupil referral units than other children, as well as five times more likely to be excluded from school.