COUNCILLORS have been assured that a £47m reorganisation of special schools in the county will incorporate safeguards sought by a scrutiny committee.

The county council executive agreed that amended proposals for the shake-up should go before the full council on December 20.

The council is proposing the closure of two special schools and the merging of others in a programme designed to be phased in over 12 to 15 years.

The reorganisation is part of a long-term plan to place more children with special needs in mainstream schools supported by specialist staff with better training.

It would involve mergers of the Dales School, at Morton-on-Swale, and Mowbray School, at Bedale, Woodlands and Springhead Schools, both in Scarborough, and Forest School, in Knaresborough, and Springwater School, in Harrogate.

The young people's scrutiny committee supported the principle of the review, but said the council should ensure that pupil referral units will deliver effective results.

It also said it should confirm a commitment to work with all groups, including the heads of special and mainstream schools.

After receiving assurances on those issues from Cynthia Welbourn, the corporate director of children and young people's services, the executive agreed to send the proposals to the full council for approval.