Question to the Department for Education:

To ask the Secretary of State for Education, what steps her Department is taking to provide local authorities with funding for the training and capacity required by SEND Information, Advice and Support Service.

Under the Children and Families Act 2014, all local authorities are legally required to provide a special educational needs and disabilities information, advice and support service (SENDIASS). SENDIASS services provide impartial, confidential, and legally based information, advice and support across education, health and social care. The department currently funds the training and network support and wellbeing programme for SENDIASS across England through our participation contract. We also fund a free national helpline offering independent advice and guidance to parents and carers, working closely with local SENDIASS.

We are increasing investment in the national helpline and, recognising the importance of local provision, we are also increasing investment in local information and advice services to improve service quality through enhanced training and better support families over the next three years.