SEN Providers Rural Areas 2023-02-27
2023-02-27
TAGS
Response quality
Questions & Answers
Q1
Partial Answer
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Context
The question is prompted by the need to provide additional financial support for schools in rural areas dealing with special educational needs.
If her Department will provide additional financial support to special educational needs providers in rural areas. Families in my constituency are waiting 40 weeks for a special educational needs assessment, far beyond the six-week statutory period.
The Government introduced additional payments for small and remote mainstream schools, currently benefiting 23 schools in Rutland and Melton. An extra £2 billion pounds was announced for schools next year and the year after, including £400 million to support high needs budgets from April.
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Assessment & feedback
Did not commit to meeting local councils and schools in Rutland and Stamford
Response accuracy
Q2
Partial Answer
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Context
Families in the constituency are waiting an average of 40 weeks for a special educational needs assessment, which is far beyond the six-week statutory period.
The families my team and I support are sometimes waiting 40 weeks for a special educational needs assessment. May I invite the Secretary of State to meet local councils and schools in order to understand why we have so many difficulties?
Last year, £13 million was invested with a further £2.5 million this year for autism assessment pathways. NHS England is developing national guidance to improve access to autism assessments and we are committed to looking at improving data on ADHD assessment waiting times.
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Assessment & feedback
Did not commit to meeting local councils and schools in Rutland and Stamford
Response accuracy
Q3
Partial Answer
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Context
A special school in Oxfordshire closed due to unsafe buildings, and since the general election, 39 schools have partly or fully closed for similar reasons. Funding for maintaining school buildings has been cut by 4% in real terms.
Special schools and mainstream schools are closing because their buildings were deemed unsafe. With funding cuts, how will Ministers assure parents that children's safety is prioritized and buildings are fit for purpose?
£15 billion has been spent on school building conditions since 2015, with additional funds for capacity. Structural engineers are assessing schools to ensure they are fit for purpose.
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Assessment & feedback
Did not provide a specific plan or commitment addressing the current issues with school closures due to unsafe buildings
Response accuracy