New school for autistic children in Carmarthenshire
A new residential school for autistic children in Carmarthenshire will open for the first time in September.
The facility will provide a service for up to five children, and will be based in the Cross Hands area of the Gwendraeth Valley.
It has been funded from Carmarthenshire County Council’s capital resources, with health, education and social care each contributing towards the £350,000 development.
The school will ensure that young people who require residential support will now remain in county.
At least two children who are currently placed outside Carmarthenshire have been offered places at the school, which means they will now be nearer to family and friends.
Head of Children’s Services, Jake Morgan, said: “This will be a small residential facility to meet the needs of autistic children in the county, which offers an alternative to providing out of county services which can often be more expensive.
“This is a proactive approach, as unfortunately there is a growing number of children with autism in Carmarthenshire. We hope this facility will help us to save a substantial amount of money which we can redirect in to developing more services closer to home.”
Cllr Gwynne Wooldridge, Executive Board Member for Education and Children’s Services, added: “This is a worthwhile investment which will benefit local families and children who require residential support to manage their autism.
“It is especially encouraging to know that at least two children can now be cared for in Carmarthenshire where they will be closer to family and friends. That’s what investments like this are all about.”
The facility will provide a service for up to five children, and will be based in the Cross Hands area of the Gwendraeth Valley.
It has been funded from Carmarthenshire County Council’s capital resources, with health, education and social care each contributing towards the £350,000 development.
The school will ensure that young people who require residential support will now remain in county.
At least two children who are currently placed outside Carmarthenshire have been offered places at the school, which means they will now be nearer to family and friends.
Head of Children’s Services, Jake Morgan, said: “This will be a small residential facility to meet the needs of autistic children in the county, which offers an alternative to providing out of county services which can often be more expensive.
“This is a proactive approach, as unfortunately there is a growing number of children with autism in Carmarthenshire. We hope this facility will help us to save a substantial amount of money which we can redirect in to developing more services closer to home.”
Cllr Gwynne Wooldridge, Executive Board Member for Education and Children’s Services, added: “This is a worthwhile investment which will benefit local families and children who require residential support to manage their autism.
“It is especially encouraging to know that at least two children can now be cared for in Carmarthenshire where they will be closer to family and friends. That’s what investments like this are all about.”
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