Award for Cheshire East

Cheshire East Council has received an award for securing better outcomes for young people with special educational needs in the youth justice system.

The Send (Special educational needs and disabilities) project has highlighted the distinct problems that many young people face that can contribute to them entering into the criminal justice system.

The council received the quality mark standard award for consistently high standards when meeting the needs of young people with complex vulnerabilities. This included developing better partnership with schools and academies in Cheshire East.

The two-year Department for Education-sponsored project was led by the national education charity Achievement for All, working in close partnership with the association of youth offending team and researchers from Manchester Metropolitan University.

Councillor Jos Saunders, Cheshire East Council cabinet member for children and families, said: “We are delighted to have been awarded quality mark status for our contribution to this project to secure better outcomes and opportunities for children and young people with special educational needs who end up in the youth justice system.

“Providing the best quality education, care and support for all children and young people with special educational needs and disabilities is a key priority for Cheshire East Council.

“This award would not have been achieved without the strength of the partnership working to improve the lives of a particularly marginalised and challenging group of young people with complex needs.”