Special Educational Needs

(asked on 8th November 2021) - View Source

Question to the Department for Education:

To ask the Secretary of State for Education, what assessment his Department has made of the potential merits of establishing a programme for SEND children to embed effective partnership working between local authorities, schools, alternative provision and other partners.


Answered by
Will Quince Portrait
Will Quince
This question was answered on 16th November 2021

The department is clear that close working between local partners, including schools, alternative provision (AP) and the local authority, is vital to improving support and outcomes for children and young people with special educational needs and disabilities (SEND). The majority of students in AP have SEND, particularly social, emotional and mental health needs which is why the SEND Review is considering how AP can provide leadership and expertise.

For pupils with SEND, the suspensions and permanent exclusions guidance already makes clear that a managed move must occur with the consent of the parties involved. The department is committed to revising the statutory suspensions and permanent exclusions guidance to make it clearer and more consistent, so that headteachers have the information they need to use disciplinary sanctions properly and proportionately.

In June 2021, the department launched a call for evidence on managing behaviour and the use of isolation rooms in schools, including asking how vulnerable pupils are supported. This evidence will be considered and further assessed alongside the results of a public consultation later this year on the behaviour and discipline in schools guidance. The guidance will provide practical advice to schools about how to encourage good behaviour and respond effectively to incidents of misbehaviour in and out of the classroom.

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