SEND Provision 2025-04-28
2025-04-28
TAGS
Response quality
Questions & Answers
Q1
Partial Answer
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Context
A constituent's son has missed over 800 hours of education despite attempts to find special educational provision across different schools. The council is concerned about the risk of criminal exploitation.
I recently met a constituent at my surgery whose son has missed out on more than 800 hours of education, despite her attempts to find special educational provision for him in 14 different schools across our region. She is now very concerned because the council says he is at risk of criminal exploitation and cannot be left alone. Will the Minister meet me to discuss this case and provide reassurance that vulnerable SEND students will get the educational provision they deserve?
One of the ministerial team will be happy to meet my hon. Friend to discuss the important issues that he raises. All children are legally entitled to a full-time education, which is important for their educational progress, wellbeing and wider development. It is the local authority’s responsibility to arrange suitable education when it is not already in place, and I encourage my hon. Friend to contact his local authority to discuss this matter further.
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Assessment & feedback
The Minister did not commit to a specific meeting but offered one of the ministerial team instead
Will Be Happy To Meet
Response accuracy
Q2
Partial Answer
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Context
Funding for children supported through the adoption and special guardianship support fund has been reduced by 40%, capping support at £3,000 per child. This could lead to placement breakdowns and increased pressure on mental health services.
I have met children who have experienced significant trauma, are not in full-time education and are supported through the adoption and special guardianship support fund. On 1 April, the Government announced that this funding would continue, which was welcome. However, on 4 April it was announced that the funding would be reduced by 40%, capping the support at £3,000 per child for the academic year. That reduction will be devastating for families and therapy providers. Does the Minister agree that without proper funding enabling specialist support we risk placement breakdowns and increased pressure on already stretched mental health services?
This Government are committed to breaking down barriers to opportunity so that every child can succeed and thrive. The Under-Secretary of State for Education, my hon. Friend the Member for Lewisham East (Janet Daby) who is responsible for this area, has committed in the House to £50 million of funding for this programme. She will have heard the question and will respond in due course.
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Assessment & feedback
The Minister did not directly address whether she agrees with the consequences of reduced funding but stated her commitment to opportunity for children and referenced a colleague's previous statement on £50 million funding commitment
Breaking Down Barriers
Responsibility For This Area
Response accuracy
Q3
Partial Answer
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Context
The Government announced a cut to the adoption and special guardianship support fund by 40%, but did not disclose this information during their urgent question. The funding reduction will have significant impacts, including increased pressure on mental health services.
Having told this House in answer to an urgent question from the hon. Member for Twickenham (Munira Wilson) that the adoption and special guardianship support fund would continue, Ministers somehow did not manage to mention that the funding per child would be cut by 40%. They then slipped that out during recess. Meanwhile, Ministers will spend £90 million on advertising. Can they at least agree to publish the impact assessment on cutting what is available from this fund?
We will respond in due course to those issues.
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Assessment & feedback
The Minister did not confirm or deny the publication of an impact assessment but stated a future response will be provided
Respond In Due Course
Response accuracy