£400,000 boost to support youngsters with learning difficulties

York Council, Askham Bryan College and York College have announced the money after successfully bidding for Department for Education (DfE) funding.

The council says it will use the money to create a new learning space and additional places within an Autism Hub at the former Oliver House elderly people’s home, which is set to become a health and social care facility.

Meanwhile Askham Bryan College is to build a new specialist facility for youngsters aged 16 to 25 years old with learning difficulties, to be used by hundreds of people.

Coun Janet Looker, Cabinet member for education, children and young people, said: “This is fantastic news for the city. The funding will go a long way to support the development of facilities and provision for young people with learning difficulties and disabilities in York.”

Liz Philip, principal at Askham Bryan College, said: “This significant development will be life changing for hundreds of young people.

“Empowering and inspiring young people underpins everything we do and I am delighted that this decision means we can take this to a new level.”