Councils may get duty to help disabled children learn until 18

The government is considering the move after pressure from disability campaigners, who fear disabled young people could be overlooked in plans to raise the education leaving age to 18.

The plans, due to take effect in 2015, will see councils take control of planning and funding for post-16 education provision from the Learning and Skills Council. But the Every Disabled Child Matters campaign said there is a danger that councils may overlook the need to help disabled young people stay on in education because many, such as those with Asperger's syndrome, are excluded from school before they reach 16.

In a meeting last week, officials from the Department for Children, Schools and Families (DCSF) told Every Disabled Child Matters that it may introduce a duty on councils to take account of disabled children's needs when planning post-16 education services.