A CONSULTATION on expanding the number of residential places in North Yorkshire for youngsters with complex needs related to autism is to go ahead.

Currently, many of these children and young people attend independent, residential special schools out of the county, in order to meet their needs.

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But they are often long distances away from their families and communities.

In a bid to keep families closer together as well as curtailing the expense of out-of-county placements, North Yorkshire County Council is planning to expand and change the nature of residential provision at Welburn Hall School, in Kirkbymoorside.

Welburn Hall is a maintained special school for pupils aged between eight and 19, providing for a range of needs including Autism Spectrum Condition (ASC), speech, language and communication needs, moderate and severe learning difficulties.

This month, the council’s children and young people’s service executive gave the go-ahead to a proposal which will see up to 12 boarding places being created for up to seven nights a week during term-time.

This will cater for pupils aged 8 to19 with ASC and related difficulties.

As a result, more young people with these needs can be educated in their local area and form connections with their local community.

At present, residential provision at Welburn Hall School is limited to young people post-16 for up to four nights a week during term-time to help them transition to more independent living.

However, the demand for these places has been falling over time.

There are no new starters from this September, which has placed a financial strain on the school.

Jane le Sage, the council's assistant director for inclusion said: “We believe expanding provision in this way will enable children to have their needs met in North Yorkshire which will also be reassuring to families, allowing greater contact with their children.

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“As well as allowing children and young people to remain in their local area - by being educated nearer home - the proposal will also reduce the demand for places at alternative independent or out-of-authority schools, many of which are of considerable distance from North Yorkshire."

Take part in the consultation at northyorks.gov.uk

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