A shake-up of special needs provision across the district is needed to benefit pupils, it was claimed today.

The Conservative Party has announced it is considering removing the assessment of special needs from local education authorities.

Under the policy, independent assessors would draw up special needs profiles of pupils, guaranteeing certain levels of support.

Today, Bradford mum Lisa O'Reilly, whose 16-year-old son Aiden was diagnosed with Asperger's Syndrome, a form of autism, aged 15, has backed the proposed changes.

She claims Aiden was "let down" by Queensbury School and Education Bradford because of his late diagnosis.

"It took Aiden nine or ten months to be given a statement from when he was diagnosed," said Mrs O'Reilly.

"He was then given a statement two months before he officially left the school. We had spoken to the teachers for years because he had had problems.

"He was eventually found to have the reading and writing age of a ten-year-old. His late diagnosis significantly affected the education he received."

Councillor Carol Beardmore, who sits on the Young People and Education Improvement Committee, said an "independent approach" would benefit the district's special needs sector.

Coun Beardmore, who has an adult daughter with Down Syndrome, said: "For parents in Bradford it is almost impossible to get a statement. It's a long drawn-out process.

"An independent approach would be beneficial, but to change the whole system would be a nightmare. Any child who has moderate special needs has a fight on to get a statement. Yet if it will help their education they should receive one."

At present, a statutory assessment of special needs, known as a statement, can be requested by the school or parents of children whose learning difficulties are thought to be severe.

This requires reports from educational psychologists, and their advice is considered before deciding whether or not to give a child a statement - which sets out what level of funding a child should get.

David Riley, from the Bradford and District Autism Support Group, said: "I think it's an excellent idea. Quite often statements are based on whether the local authority can afford to give them or not."

Denise Faulconbridge, Education Bradford's director of access and inclusion, said: "Education Bradford has made significant changes to the statutory assessment process over the last two years. We have delegated money directly to schools in order for them to meet this need without statutory assessments.

"In 2005/06, £8.2 million was delegated to schools and each year since then that amount has increased by £1.4 million."