A SCHEME to help young people with learning difficulties is being expanded to north Durham.

The idea is to help those who do not qualify as officially having "special educational needs" to get into further education.

It was tested out last year in the south-west and east of the county, and this summer it will be tried in Derwentside.

In the first two areas, an assessment of the needs of each individual was conducted before they completed secondary education.

This allowed the local further education college and employers to prepare the support they could offer.

The two cluster areas centred around students moving to Bishop Auckland College and East Durham and Houghall Community College.

This summer, a similar approach is being considered, along with other options, to ease the transition for students from feeder secondary schools to Derwentside College.

Derwentside College's vice-principal of curriculum Albert Croney said: "The college, together with the feeder secondary schools, is currently working to establish a programme to ensure that students experience a seamless transition from school to further education."

Funding of about £20,000 from the Learning and Skills Council (LSC) allows for additional mentoring where required.

Tom Crompton, executive director of LSC County Durham, said: "In order to ensure that everyone gets the best possible chance in the education system, it is vital that all levels of educational needs are catered for.

"Quite often, it is simply a matter of forward planning, and ensuring that the college staff are prepared for, and understand, the requirements of the students who are making the transition from secondary school."