Commons Sense

House of Commons · Ministers' Questions

SEND Provision

Monday 28 April 2025 · 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

  • Mark Sewards inquired about a constituent's son who missed over 800 hours of education and is at risk of criminal exploitation, urging the ministerial team to meet to discuss the issue.
  • Manuela Perteghella noted the Government's commitment to continue funding for children experiencing trauma through the adoption and special guardianship support fund, but raised concerns about subsequent changes to funding.
  • Neil O'Brien questioned the Government's handling of information regarding a 40% cut in funding per child for the adoption and special guardianship support fund, highlighting inconsistencies in communication.

Topics (select to filter)

Questions & Answers

Q1 Mark Sewards Lab Leeds South West and Morley
Education Children & Families
Context

A constituent's son has missed over 800 hours of education despite attempts to find special educational provision across different schools. The council is concerned about the risk of criminal exploitation.

Question

I recently met a constituent at my surgery whose son has missed out on more than 800 hours of education, despite her attempts to find special educational provision for him in 14 different schools across our region. She is now very concerned because the council says he is at risk of criminal exploitation and cannot be left alone. Will the Minister meet me to discuss this case and provide reassurance that vulnerable SEND students will get the educational provision they deserve?

Answer from The Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State for Education (Stephen Morgan)

One of the ministerial team will be happy to meet my hon. Friend to discuss the important issues that he raises. All children are legally entitled to a full-time education, which is important for their educational progress, wellbeing and wider development. It is the local authority’s responsibility to arrange suitable education when it is not already in place, and I encourage my hon. Friend to contact his local authority to discuss this matter further.

Partly answered

Not addressed: The Minister did not commit to a specific meeting but offered one of the ministerial team instead

How: Will Be Happy To Meet

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Q2 Manuela Perteghella Lib Dem Stratford-on-Avon
Mental Health Children & Families
Context

Funding for children supported through the adoption and special guardianship support fund has been reduced by 40%, capping support at £3,000 per child. This could lead to placement breakdowns and increased pressure on mental health services.

Question

I have met children who have experienced significant trauma, are not in full-time education and are supported through the adoption and special guardianship support fund. On 1 April, the Government announced that this funding would continue, which was welcome. However, on 4 April it was announced that the funding would be reduced by 40%, capping the support at £3,000 per child for the academic year. That reduction will be devastating for families and therapy providers. Does the Minister agree that without proper funding enabling specialist support we risk placement breakdowns and increased pressure on already stretched mental health services?

Answer from The Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State for Education (Stephen Morgan)

This Government are committed to breaking down barriers to opportunity so that every child can succeed and thrive. The Under-Secretary of State for Education, my hon. Friend the Member for Lewisham East (Janet Daby) who is responsible for this area, has committed in the House to £50 million of funding for this programme. She will have heard the question and will respond in due course.

Partly answered

Not addressed: The Minister did not directly address whether she agrees with the consequences of reduced funding but stated her commitment to opportunity for children and referenced a colleague's previous statement on £50 million funding commitment

How: Breaking Down Barriers, Responsibility For This Area

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Q3 Neil O'Brien Con Harborough, Oadby and Wigston
Children & Families
Context

The Government announced a cut to the adoption and special guardianship support fund by 40%, but did not disclose this information during their urgent question. The funding reduction will have significant impacts, including increased pressure on mental health services.

Question

Having told this House in answer to an urgent question from the hon. Member for Twickenham (Munira Wilson) that the adoption and special guardianship support fund would continue, Ministers somehow did not manage to mention that the funding per child would be cut by 40%. They then slipped that out during recess. Meanwhile, Ministers will spend £90 million on advertising. Can they at least agree to publish the impact assessment on cutting what is available from this fund?

Answer from The Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State for Education (Stephen Morgan)

We will respond in due course to those issues.

Not addressed: The Minister did not confirm or deny the publication of an impact assessment but stated a future response will be provided

How: Respond In Due Course

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