Commons Sense

House of Commons · Ministers' Questions

Children with SEND: Access to Specialist Support

Monday 31 January 2022 · 4 questions

Summarised by AI from the official record, so it can contain mistakes.

Read the full transcript on Parliament.uk

At a glance

Answered 0 Partly answered 2 Not answered 0

Key points

  • The government is conducting a review of the special educational needs and disability system and intends to publish proposals through a Green Paper in the first three months of 2022.
  • About a third of schools and colleges are being offered grants this year for training senior mental health leads, backed by 9.5 million.
  • The SEND review aims to ensure pupils with ADHD and suspected ADHD receive appropriate support at the right time.

Topics (select to filter)

Questions & Answers

Q1 Vicky Foxcroft Lab Lewisham North
Children & Families
Context

A National Autistic Society survey found that a quarter of parents waited more than three years for support, affecting 160,000 autistic pupils in England. The pandemic has worsened these issues.

Question

What recent assessment has been made on the adequacy of specialist support for children with special educational needs and disabilities? Can the Minister confirm that the upcoming SEND review will address the crisis faced by disabled children?

Answer from Will Quince

We are conducting a review of the special educational needs and disability system. We intend to publish proposals for improvements through a Green Paper in the first three months of this year. The £4.9 billion education recovery plan prioritises children and young people with SEND, increasing high-needs funding to £9.1 billion next financial year. £42 million has been allocated this year for projects supporting SEND, including £600,000 to the Autism Education Trust.

Partly answered

Not addressed: The Minister did not confirm that the upcoming review will include robust proposals to address the crisis faced by disabled children.

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Q2 Vicky Foxcroft Lab Lewisham North
Education Mental Health
Context

The questioner has been visiting primary and secondary schools to discuss mental health issues.

Question

What steps have been taken to improve mental health access facilities, including training for counsellors in all schools?

Answer from Will Quince

Backed by £9.5 million, about a third of schools and colleges are offered grants this year for training senior mental health leads. The £15 million wellbeing for education recovery programme is in addition to the £79 million boost for children and young people's mental health support teams.

Partly answered

Not addressed: The answer did not specify if all schools will have trained counsellors or how many schools will receive grants.

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Q3 Anthony Mangnall
Education
Context

A local ADHD support group reported delays in diagnoses and EHCPs, affecting children's learning experiences.

Question

What steps are being taken to support pupils with ADHD and suspected ADHD so that they can learn effectively?

Answer from Will Quince

The SEND review aims to ensure pupils get appropriate support at the right time. The Minister is willing to meet the hon. Lady to discuss further.

Not addressed: No specific steps were provided regarding ADHD support, and the answer deflected by offering a meeting instead of details.

How: Offers To Meet

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Q4 Kim Leadbeater Lab Spen Valley
Education
Context

Four out of five dyslexic children leave school without identification, impacting their educational experience.

Question

What steps will be taken to ensure universal screening for dyslexia and appropriate teacher training in the upcoming schools White Paper?

Answer from Will Quince

The SEND review and the schools White Paper will go hand in glove. The Minister is willing to meet my right hon. Friend to discuss further.

Not addressed: No specific steps were provided regarding dyslexia screening or teacher training, and the answer deflected by offering a meeting instead of details.

How: Offers To Meet

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