Commons Sense

House of Commons · Ministers' Questions

Special Educational Needs Assessments

Tuesday 11 February 2025 · 2 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

  • Charlotte Cane questioned the Minister about ensuring adequate funding for special educational needs and disabilities in high-growth areas like Cambridgeshire.
  • Alistair Strathern highlighted the role of local authority resources and the NHS in challenges faced by the special educational needs system.
  • The Minister emphasized working across government departments to improve special educational needs and disabilities provision nationwide.

Topics (select to filter)

Questions & Answers

Q1 Charlotte Cane Lib Dem Ely and East Cambridgeshire
Mental Health Children & Families
Context

Cambridgeshire has some of the lowest funding in England for GP practices and schools. The area faces record demand for special educational needs and disabilities services as well as young people’s mental health services.

Question

Given the Government’s focus on growth for Cambridgeshire and the record demand for special educational needs and disabilities and young people’s mental health services, will the Minister work with colleagues across Government to ensure that high-growth areas no longer suffer lower than average funding?

Answer from The Minister for Care (Stephen Kinnock)

Our commitment to improving SEND conditions is universal. We are looking at this from the point of view of improving provision right across the country. I am very pleased that the PINS programme is making progress. I draw the hon. Lady’s attention to the early language support for every child—ELSEC—programme, in which nine pathfinder sites over two years will provide early identification and targeted and universal support for children with speech, language and communication needs in early years and primary school settings.

Partly answered

Not addressed: The Minister did not address the specific request to ensure high-growth areas receive adequate funding.

How: Our Commitment Is Universal, Looking At Improving Provision Right Across The Country

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Q2 Alistair Strathern Lab Hitchin
NHS Children & Families
Context

Local authority resources are a big driver of some challenges in the SEND system, but it is clear to anyone working in it that a systemic under-prioritisation of children’s health by local NHS trusts is a contributing factor. Young people right across my constituency waiting for assessment and lacking support are paying the price.

Question

Local authority resources are a big driver of some challenges in the SEND system, but it is clear to anyone working in it that a systemic under-prioritisation of children’s health by local NHS trusts is a contributing factor. Young people right across my constituency waiting for assessment and lacking support are paying the price. As part of our 10-year plan to reform the NHS, how will we ensure that children’s health is front and centre again, with much more support for people with additional needs?

Answer from The Minister for Care (Stephen Kinnock)

I am working very closely with colleagues in the DFE on how we mainstream SEND provision more effectively, get more rapid education, health and care plans and autism diagnoses, and on a whole range of issues that require strong cross-party work. I would be happy to brief my hon. Friend on that separately.

Partly answered

Not addressed: The Minister did not provide specific details about the 10-year NHS plan for children's health.

How: Working Closely With Dfe Colleagues, Briefing Separately

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