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(UK) E. Sussex: Special needs plans "rising steeply"; 2 yr waitlist for autism referral

Jan 17, 2023, Sussex World: Newhaven: Specialist facility proposed to support children with autism Denton Community Primary School could have a new specialist facility to support pupils with Autism Spectrum Disorder. https://www.sussexexpress.co.uk/education/newhaven-specialist-facility-proposed-to-support-children-with-autism-3990310

SE England

The proposal from East Sussex County Council (ESCC) would establish the facility from September 1, accommodating up to 8 pupils.

Councillor Sean MacCleod said: “The plans announced by ESCC are welcome and it’s great that a school with such a brilliant special educational needs department are being offered this chance to have a specialist area in Autism Spectrum disorder (ASD).”

According to ESCC, the number of school aged children and young people aged 4 to 19 in East Sussex with an Education, Health and Care Plan (EHCP) has been rising steeply in recent years, by 12% from 2018 to 2022. The group with the biggest increase is those with ASD.

Cllr MacCleod added: “More does need to be done across East Sussex as currently the waiting list for an autism referral is more than 2 years, which is quite frankly unacceptable when most children will need to get an EHCP in place after that, which is also a time-consuming process. We need to find ways to get waiting lists down and improve care and this looks to me like a positive step in the right direction.”…





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