A proposal for a new pupil referral unit to provide secondary education to SEND students has been put forward to help pupils who are unable to attend mainstream school.

With Bracknell Forest Council attempting to increase provisions across the borough for children with disabilities at every level, the addition of this facility is one opportunity to do so.

However, parents of SEND children who have suffered from 'inadequate treatment' have said that this is a ‘drop in the ocean’ when it comes to improvements needed.

The planning proposal put forward on behalf of property services in Bracknell Forest Council is for a change of use for the vacant building on 7a Portman Close into a satellite site for College Hall Pupil Referral Unit to separate those with specific needs.

The application said: “This would be a Nurture provision for students who have experienced significant trauma and require a highly structured, safe and calm environment."

The site would provide education for up to 20 students and up to five staff at the site at any one time.

Emma, a Bracknell Mum and carer of her SEND child said that with hundreds of children, both primary school age and secondary school age in need of necessary provisions, this proposal for a pupil referral unit for 20 students is a ‘drop in the ocean’.

She added: “I know dozens of children of secondary school age that are waiting for a referral and are unable to guarantee it because of lack of funds and resources.

“Providing a centre for just 20 kids is a step in the right direction but it’s not going to help many people who have been waiting for years.

“Most kids are in schools where teachers do not know how to deal with different behaviours, and they are therefore being punished for behaviour that they cannot help. This is causing more trauma in itself.

“One building for 20 students isn’t going to help in the grand scale of things. There needs to be a lot of money ploughed into the children services.”

Bracknell Forest Cllr Roy Bailey, the executive member for children, young people and learning has confirmed that the council’s decision-making executive has this week agreed to invest £350,000 in the special educational needs and disabilities (SEND) team - to increase staffing, provide additional training and improve processes.

He added: ”Our current published plans highlight the work we are undertaking as a partnership to increase local provision. This includes the need for additional provision, which has resulted in the successful £1m bid for government funding to improve services for children and young people with SEND and a successful bid for funding to build a new autism spectrum disorder (ASD) school.

“The education and welfare of our children, young people and their families remains a priority for us and we are committed to making improvements as quickly as possible.”