Question to the Department for Education:

To ask His Majesty's Government, further to the Written Answer by Baroness Smith of Malvern on 30 March (HL14338), what is the expected timescale for (1) the consultation of the proposals for special educational needs and disabilities reform, and (2) the implementation of those reforms.

Answered by Baroness Smith of Malvern - Minister of State (Department for Work and Pensions)

On Monday 23 February, the department launched a full 12‑week consultation on our special educational needs and disabilities (SEND) reforms because we want to hear directly from people across the country who have an interest in these reforms.

We are also hosting a series of online and in‑person events throughout the 12-week consultation period, with some sessions delivered in partnership with the Council for Disabled Children. This consultation concludes on 18 May 2026.

The consultation, including accessible versions, can be accessed here: https://www.gov.uk/government/consultations/send-reform-putting-children-and-young-people-first.

The department will manage the implementation of the reformed SEND system carefully, hence why our investments start now, before forthcoming legislation.

The first cohort to transition will be those at the end of primary, secondary and post-16 in 2029/30. They will move to the new system in September 2030. We expect the final cohort to transition to the new system in 2035.

Question to the Department for Education:

To ask His Majesty's Government, further to the Written Answer by Baroness Smith of Malvern on 30 March (HL15056), why specialist places for pupils with special educational needs are not provided on the basis of specific distinct needs; and whether they will clarify the criteria used to decide whether specialist places are offered to pupils.

Answered by Baroness Smith of Malvern - Minister of State (Department for Work and Pensions)

The specialist sector has a vital role to play in the special educational needs and disabilities (SEND) system, and the department values the contribution specialist places make for children and young people with complex needs. A fundamental principle of the SEND Code of Practice is that assessments are individual to the child or young person, and that special educational provision should be made based on presenting need. This does not rely on any specific diagnosis or categorisation of that need. Local authorities are under a statutory duty to ensure a sufficient supply of educational provision for children and young people with SEND, and placement decisions are reached as part of the assessment process in each individual case. Parents and young people have legal rights to express a preference for the setting they wish to be named in an education, health and care plan. Allocation of specialist placements is therefore based on the needs of the child or young person under assessment and is case-specific.

Question

To ask His Majesty's Government, further to the Written Answer by Baroness Smith of Malvern on 28 October 2024 (HL1263), when they intend to lay the commencement order for the public sector duty regarding socio-economic inequalities under section 1 of the Equality Act 2010; and what milestones they have set for its implementation.

Answered by Baroness Smith of Malvern - Minister of State (Department for Work and Pensions)

This Government is committed to ensuring that everyone, no matter their background, can thrive. To support this, we will commence the socio-economic duty on public bodies in Section 1 of the Equality Act 2010. We are currently working toward commencement of the duty, which includes drafting statutory guidance that will clarify how the duty can be applied effectively. As part of this process, we are working with listed public bodies to ensure the guidance supports them effectively.

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Found: Statesman Dinner No 90 Georgia Gould Nil Return Nil Return Nil Return Nil Return Nil Return Baroness Smith of Malvern

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Found: Return Nil Return Dame Diana Johnson Nil Return Nil Return Nil Return Nil Return Nil Return Baroness Smith of Malvern

Found: Return Dame Diana Johnson Nil Return Nil Return Nil Return Nil Return Nil Return Nil Return Baroness Smith of Malvern

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Found: Nil Return Georgia Gould Nil Return Nil Return Nil Return Nil Return Nil Return Nil Return Baroness Smith of Malvern

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