Colleges in Devon are set to create at least 350 additional post-16 education places for young people with special educational needs and disabilities (SEND).
This move is part of a collaborative effort with Devon County Council, funded by a successful multi-million-pound bid to the Department for Education (DfE).
The new places will be at Exeter College and Petroc College's two campuses in Barnstaple and Tiverton.
The plans involve establishing new on-campus facilities at the three locations, with dedicated, purpose-built spaces designed to meet the needs of young people with a range of additional needs.
The courses that the colleges will offer are currently under review and will be confirmed shortly.
The DfE's funding is crucial in providing quality further education, local to families in Devon, that will help young people achieve better educational outcomes, leading to improved employment prospects and independent living.
A comprehensive support programme for young people with SEND is also being developed by the colleges, which will begin before students start attending to ensure a smooth transition from school or other educational settings.
Councillor Lois Samuel, cabinet member with responsibility for services that support children and young people with SEND, said: "We and our college partners share an ambition to make further education (FE) in Devon more accessible to greater numbers of young people with SEND.
"We’re delighted that our joint bid with the colleges for government funding has been successful, and we’re pleased to award further capital from our own budget to enable more young people with SEND to attend their local FE college."
She added that developing the level of inclusive support at FE colleges in Devon will reduce the number of young people who currently need to travel outside the county to receive the support and education they need.
The county council also said that this initiative is part of their aim to ensure that children and young people with SEND are supported in ways that help them into employment or further training, and ultimately into adulthood and independence.
Comments: Our rules
We want our comments to be a lively and valuable part of our community - a place where readers can debate and engage with the most important local issues. The ability to comment on our stories is a privilege, not a right, however, and that privilege may be withdrawn if it is abused or misused.
Please report any comments that break our rules.
Read the rules here