Commons Sense

House of Commons · Ministers' Questions

Cost of Living: Children with SEND

Wednesday 26 October 2022 · 3 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

  • High-needs education funding is increasing by 1 billion in the 2022-23 financial year to 9.1 billion.
  • The Department provides 27.3 million per annum for grants to support low-income families raising disabled or seriously ill children.
  • The Government are working on proposals to improve experiences and outcomes for children and young people with SEND through the SEND and alternative provision Green Paper.

Topics (select to filter)

Questions & Answers

Q1 Theresa Villiers Con
Economy Children & Families
Context

The cost of living crisis affects families raising disabled or seriously ill children, leading to financial strain and difficulties in accessing necessary support.

Question

What steps are being taken to help ensure equality of opportunity for children with special educational needs and disabilities given the cost of living crisis? High-needs education funding is increasing by £1 billion this year, but many parents face hurdles to access essential support.

Answer from Andrea Jenkyns

For pupils with complex needs, high-needs education funding is increasing by £1 billion in the 2022-23 financial year, bringing the total funding to £9.1 billion. The Department also provides £27.3 million per annum for grants to support low-income families raising disabled or seriously ill children and young people.

Partly answered

Not addressed: Did not address how to make it easier to access essential special educational needs and disabilities support.

Was this summary accurate? Tell us

How accurate was this summary? (1 = poor, 5 = spot on)

Q2 Theresa Villiers Con
Children & Families
Context

Parents of disabled children face significant challenges in accessing necessary support due to systemic obstacles.

Question

Can the Government make it easier to access essential special educational needs and disabilities support, as many parents find it like an obstacle race?

Answer from Andrea Jenkyns

The SEND and alternative provision Green Paper proposals aim to improve experiences and outcomes for children and young people with SEND. We are investing £301.75 million jointly with the Department of Health and Social Care to transform start for life and family support services in 75 local authorities across England.

Partly answered

Not addressed: Did not specifically address making it easier to access essential special educational needs and disabilities support, focused on investment and proposals instead.

Was this summary accurate? Tell us

How accurate was this summary? (1 = poor, 5 = spot on)

Q3 Taiwo Owatemi Lab Coventry North West
Education Children & Families
Context

Due to government cuts, important life experiences for children with special educational needs are being lost.

Question

Will the Minister speak to her counterpart in the Department for Education to ensure that families in Coventry do not lose valuable away nights provided by Springfield House School?

Answer from Andrea Jenkyns

The Government are doing some amazing work, and I point the hon. Lady's constituents and those of MPs across the House to a fantastic website, governmentsupport.co.uk, which demonstrates the great services open to people who are having difficulties.

Not addressed: Did not commit to speaking with her counterpart or maintaining these services.

How: Changed Subject, Redirected

Was this summary accurate? Tell us

How accurate was this summary? (1 = poor, 5 = spot on)