A mother is concerned that a decision to shut specialist units for children with speech and language difficulties will defer kids from a “100 per cent vital” service.

Jennifer Herbert, who has two daughters that require speech and language units due to their communication difficulties, was shocked to learn that all units in the county will be closing.

She said that her eldest daughter, 11, would “not have come along the way she has” if she was not placed in her smaller classes.

But it has emerged that Hertfordshire County Council will be shutting units that are currently separately attached to mainstream schools.

Watford Observer: Five new fit-for-purpose spaces have been proposed. Credit: PAFive new fit-for-purpose spaces have been proposed. Credit: PA

Instead the county council says it is addressing a shortage of specialist places in schools by replacing the units with new specialist resource provisions (SRPs) for children with complex needs.

If agreed, five new fit-for-purpose spaces will be built within primary schools, with three existing facilities being improved and reopened.

While the mother welcomes new SRPs, she says that children with speech and language difficulties need a specific setting that these new provisions may not provide.

As a result, she believes that separate speech and language units should exist as well as the new SRPs.

Watford Observer: A mother says that separate speech and language units are needed as well as the new SRPS. Credit: PAA mother says that separate speech and language units are needed as well as the new SRPS. Credit: PA

She said: “Being in a busy mainstream class all day is a lot for children with speech and language difficulties, too much language being used makes it hard for them to break down what is being said.

“In a speech and language base the work is broken down to be tailored to the specific needs of the child. They also are taught with a lot of visuals and very small group work. You won’t get this in a mainstream class.”

The county council says the new SRPs will create 120 local specialist places that is hoped to address the “increasing number of children” with specialist needs

A spokesperson for the council said: “Often these pupils are being educated in special schools, but we believe that creating specialist resources in mainstream schools would benefit these pupils by allowing them to access a mainstream curriculum, balanced with a safe space to be in, where work can be done to support self-regulation and emotional wellbeing.”

If councillors agree to these proposals this month, a consultation will begin in June to create specialist provisions in five primary schools.