A RADICAL review of special schools in North Yorkshire has been overwhelmingly approved by county councillors, despite concerns about funding and effects on staff.

Council officers insist that the changes will lead to better services for children and parents, but it was said yesterday that there was still not enough information on which to base a proper judgement.

The review involves the proposed closure of two special schools and the merging of others in a £47m shake-up designed to be implemented in three phases over 12 to 15 years. It is part of a long-term plan to place more children with special needs in mainstream schools supported by specialist staff with better training.

It would involve mergers of the Dales School at Morton-on-Swale, near Northallerton, and Mowbray School at Bedale, Woodlands and Springhead Schools, both in Scarborough, and Forest School in Knaresborough and Springwater School in Harrogate.

The council is also in discussions with the Ministry of Defence about improved special needs services to meet the demands of the expanding Catterick Garrison.

Councillor Caroline Patmore, executive member for children's services, told the full council yesterday that during consultations, there was widespread support for the changes, which would mean more flexibility and high-quality local options.

Children already attending special needs schools would remain there unless parents wanted them to move into the mainstream system.

But Coun Jim Snowball said: "The review is long overdue, but this is a take-it-or-leave-it model and we must have others on which to make an informed judgement on a cost-effective system and what is best for all children.

"There is no new money. The council will just be redistributing existing money.

''These are the schools which vulnerable children will be attending over the next 25 years.

"The system must be robust and sustainable.

"We must be sure that mainstream is the place for a child if a parent wants it and that provision is properly resourced."

Coun Stuart Parsons called for assurances for Mowbray School staff concerned about their future if the review led to the closure of the school between 2009 and 2013 to make way for a combined building on the site.

He said: "Assurances must be given to staff as well as to parents."