More children with special educational needs will be educated in mainstream schools, and special schools will become centres of excellence under new government plans.

Removing Barriers to Achievement, the government's strategy for children with SEN, includes plans to ensure children struggling at school will be supported at the earliest opportunity.

The report says education will become more responsive to children's diverse needs.

Charles Clarke, education secretary, said there was too much variation in provision for children with SEN across the UK. He added: "This situation where children still face real barriers to learning and parents lack confidence in the commitment and capacity of our schools to meet their child's needs cannot be allowed to continue."

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