Commons Sense

House of Commons · Ministers' Questions

Special Educational Needs and Disabilities

Monday 4 November 2024 · 9 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 7 Not answered 0

Key points

  • Minister announces an increase of almost 1 billion in high needs funding for 2025-26.
  • Local authorities face increased demand and workforce capacity issues affecting timely provision of education, health and care plans.
  • Government commits to reforming the SEND system to improve early identification and support for children with special educational needs.

Topics (select to filter)

Questions & Answers

Q1 Manuela Perteghella Lib Dem Stratford-on-Avon
Children & Families
Context

Concerns over inadequate SEND provision in Warwickshire. The government announced a £1 billion increase in high needs funding for 2025-26.

Question

What steps she is taking to improve SEND provision in Warwickshire?

Answer from Catherine McKinnell

We have announced that high needs funding will increase by almost £1 billion in 2025-26 compared with 2024-25. We will work with the sector to strengthen accountability, improve inclusivity through Ofsted, support professionals to increase SEND expertise and encourage schools to set up resourced provision or special educational needs units in mainstream schools.

Answered
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Q2 Mike Martin Lib Dem Tunbridge Wells
NHS Children & Families
Context

A constituent waited for an education, health and care plan (EHCP) for their child Harrison for 42 weeks. The plan was full of mistakes when it arrived.

Question

My constituent Suzie waited for an education, health and care plan for her son Harrison for 42 weeks. By law, they have to be provided within 20 weeks. Kent county council took more than twice the amount of time that it should have done. When it came, it was full of mistakes. Would the Secretary of State support KCC going back into special measures so that students like Harrison get the support that they deserve?

Answer from Catherine McKinnell

Local authorities have been impacted by the increased demand for education, health and care plans and by workforce capacity issues. We will work as quickly as possible to ensure a more effective response and early identification for children, and I will take away the particular example he raises.

Partly answered

Not addressed: Going back into special measures

How: Working As Quickly As Possible

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Q3 Richard Foord Lib Dem Honiton and Sidmouth
Children & Families
Context

Devon county council is spending £55 million on private provision for SEND without sufficient quality control. Schools want to provide more specialists and teaching assistants, but EHCPs prescribe one-to-one care with just £3,000.

Question

Devon county council is spending £55 million on private provision for special educational needs and disabilities (SEND) without enough quality control by the county council. Will the Government consider setting up more SEND resource bases in Devon?

Answer from Catherine McKinnell

The hon. Gentleman raises an important point. It is vital for turning around the current situation faced by far too many parts of the country. There is not sufficient mainstream inclusion for children with special educational needs, there are not enough specialist units as part of mainstream school inclusion, and we do not have the specialist places needed.

Partly answered

Not addressed: Setting up more SEND resource bases in Devon

How: Turning Around The Current Situation

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Q4 Alison Griffiths Con Bognor Regis and Littlehampton
Children & Families
Context

EHCP requests in West Sussex are running at over 120 per month. Concern about potential measures that could make it harder to get an EHCP.

Question

In West Sussex, EHCP requests are running at over 120 per month. Will the Secretary of State's SEND reforms include measures that could make it harder to get an EHCP?

Answer from Catherine McKinnell

The hon. Lady raises an important point. I suspect it is on the back of 14 years of letting down children who need the education that is clearly wanting in so many parts of the country. She would do well to reflect on the record of the past 14 years.

How: Reflecting On The Record Of The Past 14 Years

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Q5 Manuela Perteghella Lib Dem Stratford-on-Avon
Children & Families
Context

SEND families in Stratford-on-Avon were left without transport at the start of the academic year, depriving children access to their education.

Question

I want not just additional SEND places but continued support for children already attending specialist provision. Further, we need proper investment in home-to-school transport. What are the Government doing to ensure that budgets reflect need and address the problem immediately?

Answer from Catherine McKinnell

I recognise the long list of challenges the hon. Lady sets out, which she knows her constituents are facing. Children with special educational needs and disabilities (SEND) are being failed with poor outcomes, and parents are struggling to get their children the support they need and deserve.

Partly answered

Not addressed: Immediate support for SEND families

How: Recognising Challenges

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Q6 Helen Hayes Lab Dulwich and West Norwood
Children & Families
Context

Concerns about the end of the statutory override for dedicated schools grants in March 2026, potentially impacting local authorities' ability to fund SEND support.

Question

The additional £1 billion in the Budget for SEND support is very welcome, but what discussions is the Minister having with the Treasury and MHCLG on a plan to prevent the end of the statutory override from becoming a cliff-edge financial calamity?

Answer from Catherine McKinnell

High-needs funding will increase by almost £1 billion in 2025-26, bringing total high-needs funding to £11.9 billion. We will continue to support local authorities to meet those demands and reform our system.

Partly answered

Not addressed: Specific discussions with Treasury and MHCLG

How: Supporting Local Authorities

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Q7 Rachael Maskell Labour (Co-op) York Central
Children & Families
Context

Concern over governance issues stymying local authority ability to reform services and ensure children's best interests.

Question

While reviewing the SEND system, will the Minister take a look at governance, ensuring there is one controlling mind, that of the local authority?

Answer from Catherine McKinnell

My hon. Friend will be aware of our plans to ensure that all schools co-operate within their local facilities, with their local authorities when it comes to place-planning and admissions, to ensure a school system that serves the whole community.

Partly answered

Not addressed: Reviewing governance issues in SEND system

How: Ensuring Co-Operation Between Schools

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Q8 Ashley Dalton Lab West Lancashire
NHS Children & Families
Context

A constituent's son has been waiting for over a year to receive an Education, Health and Care Plan (EHCP), during which time he attempted suicide and stopped eating. This situation highlights the broader issue of delays in issuing EHCPs despite additional funding.

Question

My constituent has waited more than a year for her 15-year-old son's EHCP. He has attempted suicide and stopped eating, and my constituent's health is suffering due to stress. Given the £1 billion for SEND provision, how can the Minister ensure that issuing EHCPs speeds up so students with special needs receive timely support?

Answer from Catherine McKinnell

The Minister acknowledges the challenges faced by families waiting for EHCPs and commits to reforming the system to recognize children's needs at an earlier stage. She emphasizes the need to improve the process despite recognizing current demand on EHCPs.

Partly answered

Not addressed: Specific timelines or mechanisms for speeding up EHCP issuance were not provided

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Q9 James Frith Lab Bury North
Children & Families
Context

The 2014 reforms aimed to put SEN rights at the heart of the special educational needs system but fell short on promised resources. EHCPs take too long to access, leading children to be sent out-of-borough for education.

Question

The 2014 reforms prioritized SEN rights in the SEND system but failed to deliver promised resources. EHCPs are delayed and children often attend specialist schools outside their borough. How will the Government ensure more SEN provision in mainstream schools, like those in Bury North?

Answer from Catherine McKinnell

The Minister acknowledges the importance of accommodating children with SEND in their local mainstream schools and commits to providing training for educators early on. She highlights efforts to ensure educational psychology services are available to help schools adapt.

Partly answered

Not addressed: Specific measures or timelines for increasing SEN provision in mainstream schools were not provided

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