Special Educational Needs and Disabilities Debate

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Department: Department for Education

Special Educational Needs and Disabilities

Andy MacNae Excerpts
Thursday 24th October 2024

(4 days, 11 hours ago)

Commons Chamber
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Catherine McKinnell Portrait Catherine McKinnell
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I absolutely agree with the National Audit Office. Although it is a damning report, we recognise much of what it says and are determined to fix it and put it right in the way the hon. Lady suggests.

Andy MacNae Portrait Andy MacNae (Rossendale and Darwen) (Lab)
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SEND is the single greatest issue facing schools in my constituency, and I have had far too many heartbreaking conversations with families who are not getting the support they need. Does my hon. Friend agree that supportive early intervention and diagnosis is the single most effective way of reducing this demand and ensuring better outcomes?

Catherine McKinnell Portrait Catherine McKinnell
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I absolutely agree with my hon. Friend. Early diagnosis and early intervention are known to significantly improve the opportunities and outcomes for children with special educational needs and disabilities, but one of the biggest challenges in this space is the battle that many families face with a system that is letting them down, and we are determined to change that.