Commons Sense

House of Commons · Ministers' Questions

Special Educational Needs Support

Wednesday 29 April 2026 · 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

  • Government plans to reform the Special Educational Needs and Disability (SEND) system with a 4 billion investment.
  • Consultation launched to gather feedback from school leaders, parents, and young people on the proposed SEND reforms.
  • Labour MP Alex McIntyre welcomes the Government's commitment to early-stage support for children with SEND in Gloucester.

Topics (select to filter)

Questions & Answers

Q1 Robbie Moore Con Keighley and Ilkley
Children & Families
Context

The question addresses the ongoing issues faced by families of children with special educational needs and disabilities (SEND) who often struggle to access appropriate support within the current system.

Question

What steps are the Government taking to support children with SEND at school?

Answer from Bridget Phillipson

We all know that the current SEND system fails too many families. Our proposals will deliver a reformed SEND system backed by £4 billion of investment so that every child can achieve and thrive. A three-tier framework will provide targeted and specialist support, strengthened education, health and care plans, early intervention, access to specialist services and better outcomes for all of our children.

Partly answered

Not addressed: The answer does not specify the exact steps or mechanisms being taken by the government at present; it outlines future proposals and investments without detailing current actions.

How: Our Proposals Will Deliver

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Q2 Robbie Moore Con Keighley and Ilkley
Education Children & Families

Question

Last week, I met Alice Jones, the headteacher of Oxenhope primary school, to talk about the funding challenges it is facing in supporting children with SEND and her deep concerns about this Government’s planned SEND reforms, which include shifting ECHPs to individual support plans, therefore limiting protection for ECHPs to only the most complex cases. That will reduce the necessary financial support for children in mainstream schools. What reassurance can the Minister give Mrs Jones, and the many other headteachers in my constituency who have contacted me, who believe that the Government’s SEND reforms will not address the current challenges?

Answer from Bridget Phillipson

I recognise the serious point that the hon. Gentleman sets out, and we have launched a consultation so that we can hear directly from school leaders, parents and young people about what we need to do to make the system work better. I encourage school leaders in his constituency to review that and to share their views. However, I want to be clear that this is about improving support, providing earlier support and making sure that all children are able to access what they need as quickly as possible. The current system is too adversarial, it is not working and I have heard from too many parents who have been badly let down by the system that he and his party left behind.

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Q3 Alex McIntyre Lab Gloucester
Children & Families
Context

The MP welcomes the government's commitment to supporting children with SEND in Gloucester, acknowledging the £4.6 million investment in the Experts at Hand service.

Question

I welcome the Government's commitment to making sure that every child with SEND in Gloucester gets the support they need at the earliest stage of their education. I also welcome the £4.6 million investment in the Experts at Hand service in Gloucestershire coming for the next academic year. Can the Minister update the House on the discussions she is having with the Department of Health on its workforce plan to make sure we have the workers needed to deliver that support in Gloucester?

Answer from Bridget Phillipson

My hon. Friend is a true champion for children and young people and families right across his community. He raises an important point. The SEND consultation we have brought forward is a joint document with the Department of Health and Social Care, because we know that this is about having a system that better responds not only to children's educational needs when they are in school, but to wider health needs. That is why our Experts at Hand initiative will make sure there is better, targeted specialist support for all children who need it, avoiding the lengthy waits, the arduous process and the adversarial system that too many parents have to endure at the moment.

Partly answered

Not addressed: The Minister did not provide specific updates on discussions with the Department of Health regarding workforce planning or commitments about ensuring sufficient staff for supporting children with SEND.

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