Asked by: Patrick Spencer (Independent - Central Suffolk and North Ipswich)
Question to the Department for Education:
To ask the Secretary of State for Education, what support her Department provides to help parents of children with SEND with (a) education, health and care plans and (b) support systems.
Answered by Catherine McKinnell
The department recognises that some parents have struggled to get the right support for their children with special educational needs and disabilities (SEND), particularly through long and difficult Education, Health and Care (EHC) plan processes.
The department wants to ensure that EHC plan applications are processed promptly and, where required, plans are issued as quickly as possible so that children and young people can access the support they need. We are listening to a wide range of people, such as children and young people, parents, schools, colleges and local authorities and their partners. We are reflecting on what practices could be made consistent nationally.
Under the Children and Families Act (2014) it is a legal requirement that all local authorities have a Special Educational Needs and Disability Information Advice and Support Services (SENDIASS), to ensure families are provided with the support necessary to enable them to participate in discussions and decisions about their support, such as through their Education, Health and Care plan, and strategically, such as through SEND local offers.
The department funds training and support for SENDIASS services through a contract with specialist charities which support parents and carers of children with SEND. This contract is led by Contact, a national charity who support families with SEND. In addition, Contact also runs a national telephone helpline which offers impartial support and advice on SEND.
The department also provides grant funding to Parent Carer Forums throughout England who provide a supportive forum for parents. They work alongside local authorities, education, health and other service providers to ensure that the services they plan, commission, deliver and monitor meet the needs of children and families locally.
Asked by: Patrick Spencer (Independent - Central Suffolk and North Ipswich)
Question to the Department for Education:
To ask the Secretary of State for Education, if she will review the High Needs National Formula for pupils with additional support needs to reduce regional disparities.
Answered by Catherine McKinnell
The department is taking time to consider the various funding formulae that both it and local authorities use to allocate funding for children and young people with special educational needs and disabilities. It is important that there is a fair education funding system that directs funding to where it is needed.
Budgets for the 2025/26 financial year have not yet been set, which means that decisions on the high needs and schools national funding formulae, as well as the publication of allocations for that year, are not to the usual timescales. The department will publish information as soon as possible after the Budget announcement on 30 October.
Asked by: Patrick Spencer (Independent - Central Suffolk and North Ipswich)
Question to the Department for Education:
To ask the Secretary of State for Education, what steps her Department (a) has taken and (b)plans to take to implement the recommendations of the paper entitled Right Support, Right Place and Right Time, CP 624, published by her Department in March 2022.
Answered by Catherine McKinnell
This government is committed to taking a community-wide approach and to improving inclusivity and expertise in mainstream schools, as well as ensuring special schools cater to children and young people with the most complex needs. The Change Programme, which was established in September 2023 following the publication of the Special education needs and disabilities (SEND) and alternative provision (AP) Improvement Plan, is providing valuable learning across the SEND and AP system, including by informing thinking about effective, inclusive mainstream practice.
This government recognises that the SEND system is not meeting the needs of children and young people with SEND. Addressing its problems will be a priority for this government.
The government cannot do this alone. It will work with the sector as essential and valued partners to ensure its approach is fully planned and delivered together with parents, schools, councils and expert staff who go above and beyond to support children.
Asked by: Patrick Spencer (Independent - Central Suffolk and North Ipswich)
Question to the Department for Education:
To ask the Secretary of State for Education, what plans her Department has to (a) encourage and (b) support parents to (i) read, (ii) speak and (iii) play with young children in the home.
Answered by Stephen Morgan - Government Whip, Lord Commissioner of HM Treasury
The department recognises the vital role of parents and the home learning environment in children's early development and their contribution to the government’s mission to improve opportunity and give all children the best start in life. The department continues to support family hubs delivering services to help parents create rich home learning environments. The department's Little Moments Together campaign aims to encourage and provide resources for parents to chat, play and read with their children. The department is reviewing future support for parents within the current spending review process.