This week (30 December 2025), families across Redcar and Cleveland received a significant boost as the Labour Government confirmed an extra £2.3 million in funding for children with special educational needs and disabilities (SEND) in the borough.

The funding announcement was welcomed by Luke, Anna Turley MP and Cllr Bill Suthers, Cabinet Member for Children’s Services at Redcar & Cleveland Council. They spoke about the pressures families face locally and how the additional funding will help address rising demand for SEND support.

The £2.3 million will be directed through the council to strengthen provision in both specialist and mainstream schools, helping children with SEND remain in familiar settings wherever possible. Schools across the borough are already working at full stretch, and the funding is intended to ease pressure on staff while improving outcomes for children.

The investment forms part of Labour’s wider £3 billion national commitment to SEND, reflecting the government’s determination that no child should be left behind or excluded from the opportunities education should provide.

Luke Myer MP said:

“We’ve got some fantastic SEND schools here, from KTS at Brotton to Kirkleatham Hall School – and brilliant mainstream schools doing everything they can for children with SEND too. This funding will make sure schools can get the resources they need to support local kids properly — and to restore families’ confidence that the system is on their side.”

Cabinet Member for Children Cllr Bill Suthers added:

“There is a growing level of need for special educational needs funding here in Redcar and Cleveland. Our priority is to build up provision in existing schools, so children can stay in their school communities with their friends. This £2.3 million will be a massive boost in helping us do exactly that.”