Oral Answers to Questions Debate

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Department: Department for Education

Oral Answers to Questions

Deirdre Costigan Excerpts
Monday 27th January 2025

(3 weeks, 2 days ago)

Commons Chamber
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Catherine McKinnell Portrait Catherine McKinnell
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The Department for Education’s regional team engage with Wokingham regularly to discuss its SEND provision, provide support and constructive challenge, and share best practice. That has included providing a DFE SEND adviser to work with Wokingham and support the local authority in improving its services.

Deirdre Costigan Portrait Deirdre Costigan (Ealing Southall) (Lab)
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I recently visited Beaconsfield primary school in Ealing Southall, where teachers told me they have to fill in up to six forms to get disabled children the help they need. The time that takes is time they do not have, and they often need to choose which child to prioritise for support. How will the Minister reduce unnecessary paperwork and make it easier and more efficient for schools to ensure that every disabled child gets the educational support that they need?

Bridget Phillipson Portrait Bridget Phillipson
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Yet again we hear about the urgent need to reform our SEND system. We are determined to turn it around. We will work with everyone across the House and anyone with an interest in this area, including parents, teachers and staff, because we need to get this right.