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Councillors have backed proposals to set up specialist ‘resources bases’ for children with additional learning needs in some of Caerphilly County Borough’s schools.

Members of the council’s education committee voted unanimously, on Tuesday September 2, to endorse the council’s plans.

Cllr Carol Andrews, the cabinet member for education, said setting up the bases would help the council meet its legal responsibilities for children who have additional needs.

The committee heard the council supports most children within mainstream school settings, but the bases will welcome young people with more “complex needs”, if their parents consent.

Developing the bases could also mean the council avoids sending children to out-of-county placements, according to a committee report.

Sarah Ellis, the council’s lead for inclusion and additional learning needs, said those placements could prove “incredibly costly”.

Ms Ellis acknowledged there were also costs “associated” with developing the bases – but the committee report indicates Welsh Government funding would help pay to set them up.

If the policy is eventually approved, the new specialist resource bases could be set up at Ysgol Gyfun Cwm Rhymni’s Gellihaf campus, in Fleur de Lis; at Rhiw Syr Dafydd Primary School, in Oakdale; at St Helens RC Primary School, in Caerphilly town; and at Idris Davies School, in Abertysswg.

The council has also said a fifth school could open a base, but its location has not yet been determined.

Committee member Cllr Pat Cook asked whether schools are “going to be in a position to resource” the new bases, given that some are “full to capacity”.

Ms Ellis said the council had “identified schools with places and approached headteachers” to gauge their interest when drafting the proposals.

Cllr Elizabeth Aldworth asked about the effect the bases would have on other schools where support for additional learning needs was already established and thriving.

Ms Ellis reiterated that the council was “very keen for the majority of children with additional learning needs to have their needs met in mainstream school”.

But the council recognised some children require different levels of support from that available in most school settings, she added.

Trinity Fields is a positive example of how “staff and children have absolutely benefited” from having their own learning environment, Ms Ellis said.

Council cabinet members are expected to make a decision on further development of the bases at a later date.