Children with SEND and their Families Support 2023-01-16

2023-01-16

TAGS
Response quality

Questions & Answers

Q1 Partial Answer
Context
The question arises from concerns over support mechanisms for children in school with SEND needs. There are no specific incidents or statistics mentioned but the general context is dissatisfaction with current provision.
What steps her Department is taking to support schools with pupils with special educational needs?
All children, no matter their special educational need or disability, deserve the right support to be able to succeed. We will be publishing a full response to the SEND and alternative provision Green Paper in an improvement plan early this year, and we continue to work closely with children, families and education, healthcare and local government sectors on this very important issue.
Assessment & feedback
Did not provide concrete steps or specific measures being taken currently, only a promise of publishing more information in the future.
Promising To Publish More Details Later
Response accuracy
Q2 Partial Answer
Kerry McCarthy Lab
Bristol East
Context
The context is provided on Blue Monday, emphasizing the urgency of mental health support and the delays in assessment and support for children facing SEND issues.
Today is Blue Monday... will the Minister please get a move on and bring forward the response to the SEND review consultation? Children should not have to wait any longer.
I can assure the hon. Lady that we are working incredibly hard, and we will be publishing a response imminently. In the meantime, we are rolling out training on mental health to all schools across the country, and I am working very hard with my counterparts at the Department for Health and Social Care to make sure that, when we look at the proposals on SEND, they are brought fully into the picture as well.
Assessment & feedback
Acknowledged urgency but did not commit to a specific timeline or immediate action beyond confirming work is being done.
Assuring Urgent Work Acknowledging Delays
Response accuracy
Q3 Partial Answer
Context
Parents in Oxfordshire are dissatisfied with the county council's handling of emails and errors in EHC plans, as well as long delays in receiving these plans. This leads to a lack of early support for children.
Many parents in Oxfordshire are unhappy... What steps is she taking to address this?
My hon. Friend has raised this issue with me several time. One key part of the reforms set out in the SEND Green Paper will be clear standards about what help children with different SEND needs should be getting at school. That will give parents greater transparency and accountability regarding what their child should reasonably get, and also means that children will get the early help that my hon. Friend so rightly talks about.
Assessment & feedback
Did not provide specific measures for Oxfordshire but outlined general reforms in progress.
Mentioning General Reforms
Response accuracy
Q4 Partial Answer
Context
Devon's children's services have faced issues for years, particularly in the realm of special educational needs. A recent inspector's report was critical and a new head of children's services has been appointed.
The Minister will be aware... Will the Minister make clear to the political leadership of Devon County Council that if things do not improve quickly, she will have no hesitation in stripping Devon of its responsibility for children's services?
We work with all areas that are struggling to provide SEND services through our regions group work, our delivering better value programmes, and our safety valve programmes. I will, of course, look at the issue carefully, and we always step in and act when we need to.
Assessment & feedback
Did not explicitly commit to any action or timeline for intervention.
Mentioning Existing Programmes
Response accuracy
Q5 Direct Answer
Context
A new school is being built with government investment to provide 80 additional SEND places, creating opportunities for young people to remain in their local area.
One of the best ways... Will my hon. Friend congratulate Councillor Janine Bridges from Stoke-on-Trent City Council on that amazing work?
I absolutely commend the work of Councillor Janine Bridges. It sounds as if she is doing a tremendous job to increase the number of places for SEND children. I would also be delighted to come and see whether I can open the school.
Assessment & feedback
Response accuracy