Oral Answers to Questions

Debate between John Howell and Edward Timpson

Monday 4th March 2013 Commons Chamber

[John Howell (Henley) (Con)]

16. What steps he plans to take to ensure that children with special educational needs receive a joined-up service across agencies.

[The Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State for Education (Mr Edward Timpson)]

Children and young people’s needs will drive local commissioning arrangements to deliver joined-up services. The Children and Families Bill will require local authorities and clinical commissioning groups to commission jointly the education, health and care provision needed for children with SEN.

[John Howell]

What action is my hon. Friend taking to ensure that one of those agencies, the health service, can contribute fully to the provision of services for children and young people with special educational needs?

[Mr Timpson]

My hon. Friend highlights an important aspect of the reforms in which many parents are eager to see significant progress. Over and above the new joint commissioning and duty to co-operate, there will be clear and binding duties on clinical commissioning groups to ensure that services meet the reasonable requirements of people for whom they are responsible. The NHS mandate specifically references children with SEN, and we continue to have discussions with the Department of Health. I hope to make further progress in this area.