Question to the Department for Education:

To ask the Secretary of State for Education, with reference to the SEND and alternative provision improvement plan, published on 2 March 2023, what steps her Department plans to take to ensure parents are supported to (a) understand and (b) contribute to the new education health care plans.

The proposal to standardise education, health and care (EHC) plans set out in the special educational needs and disabilities (SEND) and alternative provision (AP) green paper was broadly popular, and the department has committed to delivering standardised EHC plans by 2025.

Children, young people and their families must be at the heart of these reforms. The department has already sought views from children and young people, sector experts and practitioners on the principles of a standardised EHC plan template, working with the Council for Disabled Children.

The department will continue to work in partnership with local authorities, professionals and others who use the SEND and AP system so that we hear as many views as possible on standardised templates and understand user needs. We will consider how to support all users, particularly children, young people and families, so that they benefit fully from the improvements.