Question to the Department for Education:

To ask the Secretary of State for Education, what steps the Government is taking to ensure that the (a) SEND system and (b) children’s social care system that disabled children access is fit for purpose.

Children and young people with special educational needs and disabilities (SEND) are central to the cross-government SEND Review. The review plans to consult on measures to improve children and young people’s outcomes and to put them and their families at the heart of the SEND system. We see this as a critical first step in delivering a SEND system fit for the future – with high-quality support, delivered affordably, and sustainably for the long term.

The Care Review will look at the whole system of support, safeguarding, protection and care, and the child’s journey into and out of that system. There is clearly a significant overlap between the Care Review and SEND Review, as almost half of the children in need within the children’s social care system also have SEND. The Care Review terms of reference can be found here: https://assets.publishing.service.gov.uk/government/uploads/system/uploads/attachment_data/file/952624/terms_of_reference_independent_childrens_social_care_review.pdf. The terms of reference set out the questions and themes that the Care Review will consider. They state that the Care Review will give due regard to the SEND Review, which will consider the main questions relevant to children with SEND.

The SEND system has some excellent practice within it, but we know that too many children and young people are not getting the support that they need to succeed. The department is continuing to invest and support improvements in the short-term, whilst reviewing it to ensure that it can be even better in the long-term.

The government’s aim is for all children to be in stable, loving homes that keep them safe, meet their individual needs and provide them with the support, stability and opportunities they require to thrive and achieve positive outcomes. We are undertaking a wide-scale review of children’s social care, which is taking a look at the needs, experience and outcomes of the children it supports, and what is needed to make a real difference. In doing so, the review will contribute to ambitious and deliverable reforms, taking into account the sustainability of local services and the effective use of resources.