Question to the Department for Education:

To ask the Secretary of State for Education, pursuant to the Oral Statement: Enduring Relationships Strategy for Children’s Social Care of 4 June 2026, what assessment she has made of the availability of specialist residential provision for children with autism, mental health needs and complex health conditions; and what steps she is taking to improve access to such provision.

The department recently published ‘Enduring relationships’, setting out an expectation that local authorities and those helping children in care are supported to develop and maintain enduring relationships with key people in their lives. Full details can be found at: https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/enduring-relationships-for-care-experienced-children/enduring-relationships.

Local authorities are responsible for ensuring there are sufficient school places for all pupils, including those with special educational needs and disabilities (SEND).

As set out in our recent consultation on SEND reform, the government seeks to meet need at the earliest stage, avoid escalation to crisis, and enable children and young people to remain in their families and communities.

Residential provision may be the right way to meet the needs of some children and young people, but it can also remove them from their families and local support networks. We recognise there will always be a small group of children who require more intensive, round-the-clock care alongside their education or healthcare in a residential setting. However, we want to create a system where more children can access an education at home with their families.