Bridgend County Borough Council is set to increase provision for additional learning needs (ALN) pupils in the area amid increased demand and soaring costs for the service.
The move could eventually see the creation of six learning resource centres in schools that would add an extra 60 places for ALN support in the county.
These would include the development of centres in Tondu Primary, Litchard Primary, Porthcawl Primary, Llangewydd Junior School, Porthcawl Comprehensive, and Ysgol Gyfun Gymraeg Llangynwyd. It would also see the existing centre at Pencoed Primary changed to specialise in autism spectrum disorders if proposals are taken forward.
A report given to cabinet members said: “Local authorities across the United Kingdom are experiencing a rise in the demand for services for children and young people with ALN and the cost to support this often exceeds budget.
“Anecdotal evidence from many local authorities suggests that not only are these needs becoming more numerous by volume but also in their complexity.”
Councillor Martyn Jones said the council had a strong record of supporting learners with ALN, highlighting their responsibility to review and ensure sufficiency of the provision.
Deputy leader Cllr Jane Gebbie added: “We know that demand is increasing nationally, particularly for autism support, and it is pleasing to see Bridgend responding proactively by expanding local specialist provision while maintaining our commitment to inclusion.”
The majority of pupils with additional learning needs in Bridgend county are currently educated in 28 of its mainstream schools alongside two special schools.
The talks came after a separate report given to councillors earlier in the month which reviewd ALN support across the borough as well as some of the pressures it is currently facing.
Here members were told about an Estyn inspection in March which identified provision for children and young people with ALN as a substantial strength of the local authority.
However, it also noted that expenditure had increased from £6.47m in 2022-23 to £9.44m in 2025-26, representing an overall increase of around 46%.
Members at a council cabinet meeting agreed to take proposals to develop the extra learning resource centres to consultation before further steps are decided.
