Question to the Department for Education:

To ask the Secretary of State for Education, what steps her Department is taking to improve post-16 educational and employment outcomes for young people with special educational needs in Leicestershire.

The government is committed to improving outcomes for young people with special educational needs and disabilities (SEND) as they prepare for adulthood.

Our SEND reforms intend to strengthen support, including through post-16 provision, improving transitions into further education, training and employment, and reducing the risk of young people becoming not in education employment or training.

We are working closely with Leicestershire County Council and Leicester City Council on the implementation of SEND reforms to improve outcomes for young people.

This complements our Regional Improvement for Standards and Excellence programme, which supports inclusion and attainment for all pupils, and our work to expand vocational pathways, including T Levels and V levels. Supported internships also help young people with education and healthcare plans develop skills and experience for sustained employment.

Across Leicester and Leicestershire, schools, colleges and specialist providers are working with employers and local partners to support independence, skills development and progression into further learning and employment for young people with SEND. The department continues to engage with the sector and provide support in this collaboration.