Kent County Council is to receive millions of pounds worth of extra funding to help children with special educational needs and disabilities.

KCC is due to be given over £6.5million by 2021, with the aim of transforming the children’s lives by increasing school capacity and making it easier for them to access good school places.

The funding comes as part of a nationwide announcement by the minister for vulnerable children and families, which sees every local authority in England receiving at least £500,000 ‘to enable the expansion and improvement’ of Special Educational Needs and Disabilities provision.

Medway Council is due to get just over £1.3million by the end of the next four years.

Local Authorities will be free to invest the money as they see fit, in order to help children and young people with education, health and care plans to get a high quality education.

The funding can be used in mainstream schools, including academies, free schools and grammar schools, special units, special schools, early years settings, further education colleges or other facilities for children and young people aged from 0-25.

The financial boost for both Kent County and Medway Councils will come in three parts.

KCC will receive £2,192,655 each financial year until 2020/21, whilst Medway Council will be given three instalments of £459,325 for the same period.

Minister for vulnerable children and families, Edward Timpson MP, said: “We've already made the biggest changes for pupils with special educational needs and disabilities in a generation, but we want to go further and build on that success.”

"Our multi-million pound investment will enable local councils to build new classrooms and improve facilities for pupils, ensuring that no child is left behind."

Councils will be expected to consult with local parents, carers, schools, and others on how their allocation should be used, and they’ll also be required to publish a short plan showing how they are going to spend the money.