SCHOOLS in Darlington are being encouraged to get behind plans to improve the lives of disabled pupils.

A report for Darlington Borough Council’s children and young people scrutiny committee highlighted the need for schools in the town to help support their disabled pupils.

The Accessibility Strategy is looking to find ways in which the council could increase disabled pupils participation in the school curriculum, as well as ways to improve the physical environment of schools and the delivery of information for disabled pupils.

Around 2,500 children in Darlington receive special educational needs and disabilities (SEND) support, according to the report.

Councillors urged the committee to ensure support was available for disabled pupils in all schools, not just those under the control of the local authority.

Linda Hughes, ward councillor for Pierremont, said the council has a responsibility for all children in the town.

“2,500 children is an awful lot for the size of this town, and the majority of them will be going to an academy.

“We have a responsibility to make sure they are getting the quality of care they deserve.”

Eleanor Marshall, school forum monitoring and support officer, said all academies were aware of the plans.

“All academies will have an opportunity to comment on the proposals and they can also buy into the training service.

“The plan has been produced so any school can pick up it up to use and develop their own strategy.

“We can’t monitor all academies because we don’t have the resources to do that, but we can offer training support.”

Cllr Hughes also wanted assurances that Darlington College and the town’s other sixth forms would be included in the plans.

Ms Marshall responded: “We will be advising the best practice for all school and colleges in the town to use.”

A consultation period took place between December and February to allow schools to respond to the proposals.

Ms Marshall added: “Schools have said the strategy is really useful and it will be used as a benchmark and for guidance for them to develop their own plans.”

A final report on the plans will be published later this year.