THE FUTURE is bright for children with special needs according to the firm brought in to save Swindon's failing education system.

Special needs was one of the vital areas run by the local education authority that was heavily criticised by government inspectors Ofsted.

But now a new action plan is set to be agreed about how to take the service forward under Tribal, the private company set to earn millions if they succeed in turning round the education department.

Jean Samuel, one of Tribal's assistant directors of education, said: "We need to be clear about what we will see done. It is not about doing things but about what difference those things make at the end of the day.

"I am not interested in my staff just visiting thousands of schools I am interested in what has happened and what difference it makes."

Mrs Samuel outlined a detailed action plan to parents on how the service would improve. It focused on letting parents know exactly what could be done for their child and where they stood and then getting the best possible teaching to each child.

Housewife and carer Paula Hills, 41, from Wroughton said: "I am very pleased with the meeting. It's nice to hear some positive comments.

"I have been through a lot with my son, who has Aspergers syndrome, and I don't want anyone else to go through that."

Keith Smith, headteacher of Crowdys Hill School, said it was a pleasure to see the council's administration working with headteachers towards giving children the best possible education.

Nicky Parker, 36, from Gorse Hill has two children, Luke, 12 and Zachary, seven.

Both have Down's syndrome.

Luke has severe learning disabilities but is taught at Crowdy Hill Special School, a school for children with moderate difficulties, and Zachary goes to the mainstream Pinehurst Junior School.

Mrs Parker says she holds the schools in high regard but is aware of the shortage of resources.

She said: "Most children with Down's syndrome are now going to mainstream schools. Parents want that because children need to learn language and social skills.

"All of the schools my children have been in were brilliant.

"But the sad fact is teachers don't have specialist training on how to work with Down's syndrome children.

"The Swindon Down's Syndrome Association wrote to the council asking them to invest in an advisory teacher who can travel around schools and help teachers.

"We are yet to receive a reply, which shows you where many of the problems lie."