Context
Paul and Ellie, two children with special educational needs in a primary school in Bramhall, have had their SEND provision suddenly removed. Their parents are considering withdrawing them from mainstream schooling due to lack of support.
Question
Paul and Ellie’s parents, like many across Cheadle, have reached out to me for help. Their SEND provision has been suddenly taken away. Paul and Ellie’s parents are now considering withdrawing them from mainstream schooling. Parentkind research shows that more than one in three parents of children with special educational needs say that their needs are not being sufficiently met. Paul and Ellie’s parents deserve much more certainty and clarity, so can the Minister confirm when they will bring forward the schools White Paper and, with it, the crucial information on the SEND reforms for anxious parents?
Answer from The Minister for School Standards (Georgia Gould)
I have heard so many stories like Paul and Ellie’s, and I am so sorry about the experiences they have had. That is why it is so important that we are already taking action to invest in mainstream inclusion, to improve teacher training and to support early identification, and it is why we are investing £740 million to support schools to provide more specialist places. We are already taking that action, and we are working very closely with parents around the country, like Paul and Ellie’s, to bring forward a wider set of reforms.
Not addressed: The Minister did not confirm when the White Paper would be brought forward or provide specific information on SEND reforms for anxious parents.
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