Question to the Department for Education:

To ask the Secretary of State for Education, what steps she is taking to improve educational support and outcomes for children and young people with acquired brain injury.

Children with an acquired brain injury can be affected in different ways. Some brain injuries will result in a special educational need or a medical need, whilst others may affect a child in other ways. In whatever way a brain injury manifests, it is essential that the pupil’s individual needs are identified and supported appropriately. Identification and diagnosis of acquired brain injuries are the responsibility of healthcare professionals.

Through the department’s reform of the special educational needs and disabilities (SEND) programme, we have proposed the introduction of National Inclusion Standards. This will support education settings to identify and respond to needs earlier and more consistently, drawing on a broad range of evidence and professional expertise, so that all children and young people can receive the support they need to achieve and thrive.

The National Inclusion Standards will be underpinned by a £200 million training package to ensure that all teachers, educators, teaching assistants, support staff and leaders across early years, schools and post-16 settings can be trained to support pupils with SEND, and a new investment of £3.7 billion to drive more inclusive school estates and create additional specialist places.

In addition, the Department of Health and Social Care is currently developing an Acquired Brain Injury Strategy.