Commons Sense

House of Commons · Ministers' Questions

Special Needs Education: Access

Monday 11 December 2023 · 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 2 Partly answered 1 Not answered 0

Key points

  • Mark Francois inquired about the demand for special educational needs (SEN) services in Essex and the progress of a campaign for a new SEN school.
  • The Secretary of State responded by confirming interest from a trust and willingness to discuss the free school presumption route for opening new special schools.
  • Florence Eshalomi highlighted concerns that the 2.6 billion investment is not reaching parents and children adequately, emphasizing the strain on families seeking SEN provision.

Topics (select to filter)

Questions & Answers

Q1 Mark Francois Con Rayleigh and Wickford
Children & Families
Context

The MP is concerned about the demand for special educational needs (SEN) services in Essex, which exceeds supply.

Question

Turning to SEN, demand in Essex far outstrips supply. The Secretary of State will know that just prior to the summer recess, I launched a campaign for a new SEN school in south Essex. I am delighted to tell her that we have a trust that is seriously interested, we may have a site and we may even have some money. On that basis, could I meet her or one of her junior Ministers—early in the new year, please—to update her on where we have got to and to ask for help to make this dream a reality?

Answer from David Johnston

I congratulate my right hon. Friend on his campaign, with which we are very familiar in the Department; we would be delighted to meet him. Where local authorities do feel there is a need, they can open a new special school through the free school presumption route, which I would be happy to discuss with him further.

Answered
Was this summary accurate? Tell us

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

Get updates like this by email
Q2 Mark Francois Con Rayleigh and Wickford
Education Children & Families
Context

The MP is concerned about the allocation of funds for special educational needs (SEN) and alternative provision (AP), as well as the implementation of new national standards.

Question

What steps her Department is taking to improve access to special needs education?

Answer from David Johnston

As part of our £2.6 billion investment to reform the SEND and AP system, we have announced 41 new special free schools, with a further 37 in the pipeline. We have also set out plans for new national standards to make clear the support that should be available in mainstream settings for children with special educational needs.

Answered
Was this summary accurate? Tell us

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

Get updates like this by email
Q3 Florence Eshalomi Labour (Co-op) Vauxhall and Camberwell Green
Mental Health Children & Families
Context

The MP is concerned about parents facing difficulties accessing SEN provision despite government investment, citing concerns from constituents.

Question

The Minister mentioned the £2.6 billion that the Government have invested, but this is not filtering down. That is the key issue for parents accessing SEN provision, and so many parents are raising it at my surgery. One concerned mother told me: 'Parents and children are being put under intolerable stress and anxiety with a system which is inefficient and creating a significant mental health burden'. The Minister mentioned the national standards. Will the standards include the fact that SEN children and children with autism are being arrested and their mental health is not being treated properly because schools simply do not have enough training and support? Will the Minister please address that?

Answer from David Johnston

I thank the hon. Lady. We are keen that schools are as inclusive as they say they will be when it comes to children with special educational needs. We have nine change programme partnerships to try to make sure that the system works a lot better. The money is given to local authorities, and we should already be seeing an improvement, but I would be happy to discuss it further with her.

Partly answered

Not addressed: Specifics on national standards addressing mental health and training for staff were not provided.

How: We Are Keen That Schools Are As Inclusive As They Say, Nine Change Programme Partnerships

Was this summary accurate? Tell us

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

Get updates like this by email