Northumberland is among the local authority areas in England under a lot of pressure when it comes to provision for children with special educational needs and disabilities (SEND), according to a new study.

For families of these children, where they live can shape the support that is available to them and children’s toy manufacturer and retailer outdoortoys has created a single score comparing local authorities across England.

It looks at SEN units, resourced provision, special schools and the number of pupils competing for specialist mainstream places.

In the areas ‘under the greatest pressure for access to SEND provision’ list, Northumberland was fourth with a score of 1.96 out of 10.

Northumberland County Council's Morpeth headquarters.

placeholder image — Northumberland County Council's Morpeth headquarters.

The report, which used Department for Education data, said the county had a ‘specialist mainstream places per 1,000 pupils with SEND’ figure of 2.1 and a ‘special schools per 10,000 pupils with SEND’ figure of 10.5. Read the full report at www.outdoortoys.com/blogs/campaigns/best-places-england-send-support

Northumberland County Council has been contacted for comment.