Question to the Department for Education:

To ask the Secretary of State for Education, how her Department plans to ensure that the (a) experiences and (b) evidence of specialist education providers are reflected in policy decisions affecting pupils with special educational needs and disabilities.

The department engages regularly with special schools and their representative organisations. Their views play an important part in shaping policy development. We will continue to listen directly to those working within the system, ensuring that our policy development is grounded in lived experience and fosters a culture of shared learning and constructive challenge.

While the department is committed to improving inclusivity and expertise in mainstream schools, there remains a crucial role for special schools, not only in supporting children and young people with particularly complex needs, but also in building capability across the system. Details of the government's intended approach to special educational needs and disabilities reform will be set out in a Schools White Paper in the new year.