Question to the Department for Education:

To ask the Secretary of State for Education, what estimate she has made of the economic and social costs associated with the mental health impact on parents and caregivers of children with SEND; and whether she plans to include these costs in future fiscal impact assessments for SEND provision.

The department has made no specific estimate of the economic and social costs associated with the mental health impact on parents and caregivers of children with special educational needs and disabilities (SEND). The department has also made no assessment of whether such costs should be included in future fiscal impact assessments for SEND provision.

The government has recognised that too many children and young people with SEND and their families are being let down by the current system. The reforms seek to reduce the need for families to navigate adversarial processes and instead provide support that is earlier, clearer and more consistent, helping ensure that children and young people with SEND and their families have a better experience of the system.