Hampshire County Council announced the decision as part of its ongoing work to expand support for children and young people with special educational needs and disabilities (SEND). Cllr Steve Forster, executive member for education, said: "By creating these 157 extra specialist places in our schools, we are promoting inclusivity in mainstream education where possible and investing in the future of all our children and young people, regardless of their challenges." About 40 per cent of these pupils need specialist provision, either in a special school or a resourced provision within a mainstream school. Cllr Forster said: "These approvals mark a significant step forward towards ensuring that every child in Hampshire receives the support they need and takes us closer towards the council’s ambition of establishing 1,000 new specialist places by 2030." Projects are subject to planning permission where appropriate and agreement of the capital programme.