Commons Sense

House of Commons · Ministers' Questions

Children with Special Educational Needs and Disabilities

Monday 17 April 2023 · 5 questions

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

Read the full transcript on Parliament.uk

At a glance

Answered 1 Partly answered 4 Not answered 0

Key points

  • Minister is working on a specialist workforce strategy to improve early identification and addressing of needs for children with SEND.
  • Department is investing in child and adolescent mental health services to support 345,000 children in accessing CAMHS support.
  • Local councils are being asked to set out local inclusion plans to assess and meet the needs of SEND students in their area.

Topics (select to filter)

Questions & Answers

Q1 Fleur Anderson Lab Putney
NHS Children & Families
Context

The MP asked about the steps to improve support for children with special educational needs and disabilities, focusing on ensuring they receive appropriate education and care.

Question

What steps she is taking to help improve support for children with special educational needs and disabilities and their families. The Children and Families Act 2014 sets out national standards in legislation but has not succeeded in delivering appropriate support due to lack of funding and link-up to social care services.

Answer from Claire Coutinho

One thing that we have tried to do in the reforms is get under the bonnet and find out why local authorities are struggling to deliver. We are setting out a specialist workforce strategy and looking at initial teacher training to ensure early identification and addressing of needs. The legislation published in tandem with the Department of Health and Social Care ensures critical support.

Partly answered

Not addressed: Did not directly address how new standards without legislative underpinning will deliver better outcomes

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Q2 Catherine West Lab Hornsey and Friern Barnet
Mental Health Children & Families
Context

The MP questioned the urgent action needed for wider access to crucial child and adolescent mental health services to ensure timely talking therapies delivery.

Question

What urgent action will the Minister take to ensure wider access to crucial child and adolescent mental health services so that talking therapies can be delivered on time and effectively, allowing children to retake their learning?

Answer from Claire Coutinho

We are working closely with the Department of Health and Social Care, which is investing billions to ensure 345,000 children can access CAMHS support. We are rolling out mental health support in schools and setting out best practice guides this year on a range of SEND issues.

Partly answered

Not addressed: Did not specify what urgent actions will be taken beyond existing plans

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Q3 Fleur Anderson Lab Putney
Social Care Education
Context

The MP inquired about the lack of funding or link-up to social care services as a major barrier to providing necessary care for children with special educational needs.

Question

Why does the Minister believe that having new standards in the plan, but no new legislative underpinning, will deliver better outcomes? The legislation has not succeeded due to lack of funding and links to social care services.

Answer from Claire Coutinho

One thing that we have tried to do in the reforms is get under the bonnet and find out why local authorities are struggling to deliver. We published the strategy in tandem with the Department of Health and Social Care, which is critical for achieving outcomes.

Partly answered

Not addressed: Did not explain how new standards will deliver better outcomes without legislative underpinning

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Q4 Gagan Mohindra Con South West Hertfordshire
Children & Families
Context

The MP asked about the proposal to use a primary school's caretaker's bungalow for adult social care, against wishes of the school and parents who wanted it for wraparound care provision.

Question

Does the Minister agree that we should be jumping at such opportunities to provide on-site provision for SEND students? The local council proposed using Bridgewater Primary School space for adult residential care instead of wraparound care.

Answer from Claire Coutinho

That particular decision will be one for the local council, but we are asking areas to set out local inclusion plans so that they can assess all the need in their area and ensure it is being met.

Partly answered

Not addressed: Did not provide a clear stance on providing on-site provisions for SEND students

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Q5 Matthew Hancock Con
Education Children & Families
Context

The MP asked about the importance of literacy improvement and provision for children with special educational needs, particularly dyslexia.

Question

Will the Minister ensure that continued drive for better provision for children with special educational needs, including dyslexia, is maintained? The focus should be on initial teacher training improvements to capture and help children struggling with dyslexia early.

Answer from Claire Coutinho

My right hon. Friend is absolutely right that literacy is one of the major priorities for the Department. We will set out best practice guides on early speech and language, screen children for dyslexia with phonics tests, and improve initial teacher training to capture children struggling with dyslexia as soon as possible.

Answered
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