Question to the Department for Education:

To ask the Secretary of State for Education, with reference to the Ofsted Annual Report 2021/22: education, children’s services and skills published 13 December 2022, what assessment she has made of the implications for her Department's policies of that report's findings on special needs provision; and whether she plans to take steps to improve special needs provision.

The department is aware of the Ofsted Annual Report which highlights areas of the special educational needs and disabilities (SEND) system including recruitment and staff turnover, local area SEND inspections, and the increase in the number of pupils identified as having SEND.

The SEND and Alternative Provision (AP) Green Paper set out the department’s proposals for how we will improve the SEND system, so that it delivers improved outcomes, improved experiences, and financial sustainability.

The department is committed to publishing a full response to the green paper in an improvement plan in early 2023.

We will continue to support the system in the immediate term to deliver change and continue to improve the experience and outcomes for children and young people with SEND, and those who need AP.