Children with special needs in Southend look set to benefit from more opportunities for education, it has emerged.

The announcement follows a pioneering report which is due to be considered by councillors today (Tuesday).

A wide-ranging special needs study was carried out across the town after links were forged between teachers and carers who work in the field.

Together they have produced a consultation document - called Towards Inclusion - which is to be officially launched next week at a conference on June 28 at the Cliffs Pavilion.

It is expected to address what different groups of young children there are in Southend, and what enhancements can be made to the existing service to help them.

Stephen Hay, director of education and library services at Southend Council, said: "The aim of the review is to raise educational standards for all children, and to make sure that they are not excluded from receiving a quality education simply because they have a disability.

"The authority has made a commitment to maintaining a range of specialist provision and support. What we're looking at now is the way the service is provided, and how to offer improvements in the range and quality of education for all."

Next week's Towards Inclusion conference, organised by the council's education and library services department, will feature workshops throughout the day to study specific areas of the subject.

These will include ways to help pupils with emotional and behavioural difficulties, and those with sensory or physical difficulties or speech and language problems.

The event will be followed early next month by a further series of consultation sessions. Opinion gathered at these events will be reported back to councillors for further consideration later in the year.

Sally Carr executive councillor for education and lifelong learning, said: "I'm anxious to see that we provide the best possible education for our needy and vulnerable children.

"We'll be listening to the opinions of all those involved with the teaching and caring of these children to consider how best to deliver a quality of education for all."

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