Commons Sense

House of Commons · Ministers' Questions

Children with SEND

Monday 21 July 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

  • Ministerial focus on strengthening support for children with education, health and care plans.
  • Funding for Best Start hubs in Lancashire for the first time.
  • Investment in family service professionals to support inclusion and early intervention.

Topics (select to filter)

Questions & Answers

Q1 Lincoln Jopp Con Spelthorne
Children & Families
Context

The MP references a visit to Springfield primary school in his constituency, noting the number of pupils and existing EHCP applications. He expresses concern about local authorities slowing down or failing EHCP applications during the review period.

Question

I thank the Minister for that answer. On Friday, I had the opportunity to visit the outstanding Springfield primary school in my constituency. It has 500 pupils, 30 of whom have education, health and care plans, with six applications in currently. Can the Minister reassure the parents of those six children and the many, many parents across the country that, while this review into EHCPs is going on, local education authorities will not slow-roll existing applications or fail them as a default in order for them to go to tribunal and try to beat the clock?

Answer from The Minister for School Standards (Catherine McKinnell)

We have yet to decide on the future of education, health and care plans, but we are extremely focused on strengthening the support system so that every child can receive timely, high-quality help. We will set out further details about our approach to special educational needs in this autumn’s White Paper. In the meantime, obviously, children should be getting the support they need, and we are putting in the groundwork so that more children can have that.

Partly answered

Not addressed: The Minister did not provide a direct reassurance about local education authorities' practices regarding existing EHCP applications during the review period.

How: Will Set Out Further Details

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Q2 Lizzi Collinge Lab Morecambe and Lunesdale
Children & Families
Context

The MP mentions that early intervention is crucial but notes that many children in her constituency have been let down in this regard. She highlights the introduction of funding for Best Start hubs in Lancashire.

Question

We know that early intervention is most effective for children with SEN, but too many children in my constituency of Morecambe and Lunesdale have been let down in that respect. However, Lancashire is, for the first time, receiving funding for Best Start hubs. Can the Minister tell me how that will improve early support for those children?

Answer from The Minister for School Standards (Catherine McKinnell)

As I said, we are already investing in supporting children and their families, including through Best Start family hubs, as my hon. Friend mentioned. We want to ensure that all children have access to a family service professional who is trained to support inclusion, can identify where children have additional needs ahead of starting school, and can support parents to navigate services.

Partly answered

Not addressed: The Minister did not provide specific examples or details on how Best Start hubs will improve early intervention for children with SEND.

How: We Are Already Investing In

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