Investment in special educational needs

A total of ₤265k is set to be spent creating additional places and better facilities for pupils with special educational needs in Liverpool. The funding is coming from a special ₤1.9 million grant to Liverpool, from the Government, to be spent over the next 3 years, improving provision for youngsters with Education, Care and Health Plans (ECHP).

A report to the Cabinet on Friday 14 September is recommending:-

► Clifford Holroyd Special School in Knotty Ash to create 10 new places to take pupils from the recently closed Clarence High School run by Nugent Care.

► Millstead Special School in Everton and Princes Special Schools in Toxteth each to create 10 additional places (20 in total) for pupils with severe learning difficulties.

► Creating a bespoke area for children with severe learning difficulties at All Saints RC Primary School in Anfield as part of wider scheme in the early years department funded by the Catholic Archdiocese.

► Installing a lift at Smithdown Community Primary School in Wavertree as part of a larger scheme to enable it to support children with special educational needs.

Councillor Barbara Murray, Cabinet member for education, said:- "This is a really important investment which will make a real difference in these Schools, enabling them to offer better facilities to pupils with special educational needs. It is part of our commitment to making sure that all pupils, regardless of their individual circumstances, get the best possible start to their education and are able to achieve their full potential. This is a continuation of our strong track record of investment, and follows on from the ₤180 million we have spent since 2012 rebuilding and replacing 22 Schools across the City, including improvements at 6 special Schools."

A further report outlining where the remaining ₤1.63 million of funding from the grant will be spent will come before Cabinet at a later date, following consultation with Schools and other stakeholders.

Shisha smoke warning campaign launched

THE dangers of smoking Shisha are to be highlighted in a new public health campaign in Liverpool. Shisha, also called:- hookah, narghile, waterpipe, or hubble bubble smoking; is a way of smoking tobacco, sometimes mixed with fruit or molasses sugar, through a bowl and hose or tube.

The tube ends in a mouthpiece from which the smoker inhales the smoke deep into their lungs, and studies show an hour's smoking is the equivalent of having between 100 to 200 cigarettes.

Shisha smoking is traditionally used by people from Middle Eastern or Asian community groups, but is becoming increasingly popular in Cities, such as Liverpool, particularly among young people aged 18 to 25.

Now, public health officials are to raise awareness of the harmful health effects by targeting students during the opening weeks of the new higher education academic year, including visiting freshers' fairs, community events and College open days to spread the word.

Director of Public Health, Dr Sandra Davies, said:- "We have had huge success in reducing the smoking rate in Liverpool, which has virtually halved over the last decade, meaning long term health benefits to many thousands of people. However, we risk some of this great work being undone as a result of people smoking Shisha, which has the potential to be far more harmful due to the intensity of deep inhalation of chemicals and poisons. There is some evidence that because Shisha is flavoured, people don't realise how harmful it is and that it is equivalent to them smoking a huge number of cigarettes in 1 go."

There are around a dozen Shisha cafes in the City, and people who use some of them are at risk of being issued with a ₤50 fixed penalty notice because it is classed as smoking indoors. During the campaign, enforcement officials from the City Council will be visiting premises and taking action against any that allow people to smoke inside.

Councillor Paul Brant, Cabinet member for adult health, said:- "Smoking Shisha indoors not only harms you, but also those around you as they inhale the 2nd hand smoke. Smoking in workplaces such as cafes was barred because of the health risks that it posed, and we now need to do the same and enforce the law at Shisha cafes as it is putting staff and other customers at risk of harm."

Smoking increases the chances of coronary heart disease and oral, lung and stomach cancer.

People who want to stop smoking can get support from Smokefree Liverpool on:- 0800 061 4212 or by texting:- 'QUIT' to:- 66777.