The cabinet of Rutland County Council has approved funding of £1,000,390 to develop additional school facilities for children with special needs and disabilities.

The money, which comes from the Department for Education Capital Grant provided to Rutland County Council, will support all children and young people with special educational needs and disabilities (SEND), to lead healthy, independent, and safe lives.

Speaking to members of the cabinet at a meeting on 14 February, Conservative Cllr David Wilby, portfolio holder for education and children's services, said: "The key to the success of Rutland's Send and inclusion strategy, and Send recovery plan, is the ability of Rutland County Council to secure the required range of places for children with education health and care plans within Rutland itself, or through placing children in close geographical locations where provision is available, so that more children are educated closer to home, have the resilience of peer networks and better preparation for adulthood.

"Rutland wishes to be a county that promotes inclusion, to maximise opportunities so that these children and young people may be independent and focus on their abilities, not their disabilities; and wherever possible, have their needs met locally."

Local education placements offer better value for money and the benefit of greater focus on school autonomy and sector-driven improvement. In addition, they help grow the confidence and skills of school leaders and staff and the quality of inclusionary practice and support to families. They also enable local practice to respond to what children and families say is important about schools and services, in supporting good family life.

Rutland is taking part in the Department for Education Delivering Better Value Programme with Phase One starting in February 2023.

Members of the Cabinet unanimously approved the allocation of the grant.