Anne-Marie Trevelyan, the Conservative MP for Berwick-upon-Tweed, has welcomed the news that the Play Rangers service for disabled children and those with special educational needs (SEN) in Northumberland has been saved.
As part of the Health and Wellbeing team at Northumberland County Council, play rangers work in schools and in the community to deliver play sessions and raise awareness of the benefits of play for children. The continuation of the service for SEN children was under threat due to funding issues but a new arrangement has now successfully been put in place.
Anne-Marie Trevelyan said; "This is fantastic news. I was contacted by a concerned parent and, as a mother of a child with special needs myself, I know how important these services are and the vital role of play in a child's development. I have been working with the County Council's new SEN commissioner who went out of his way to find a long term solution".
Alan Carrick, SEN Commissioner at Northumberland County Council, added; "I am pleased to confirm the Play Rangers service will be continuing their work to support children and young people. Their offer to provide holiday activities will continue as before. A new funding arrangement was needed to continue this work beyond August 2015, which has now been successfully resolved".