News

Social workers could provide services in more than 200 schools across the country under government plans to have at least one school in every local education authority offering a range of community services by 2006.

The 240 "extended schools" will receive funding of £52m over three years to provide health and social care, child care, lifelong learning opportunities, family learning, parenting support, sports and the arts.

The money will go initially to the most disadvantaged areas before being rolled out throughout the country. Schools can decide which services to spend their money on depending on local needs.