Question to the Department for Education:

To ask the Secretary of State for Education, what assessment she made with Cabinet colleagues of the potential impact of ADHD medication shortages on the attendance of young people at school.

Education is a devolved matter, and the response outlines the information for England only.

The Department for Health and Social Care (DHSC) has been working hard with industry to help resolve supply issues with some attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) medicines, which are affecting the United Kingdom and other countries around the world.

As a result of intensive work, some issues have been resolved, and all strengths of lisdexamfetamine, atomoxetine capsules and guanfacine prolonged-release tablets are now available. DHSC is continuing to work to resolve supply issues, where they remain, for methylphenidate prolonged-release tablets. They are engaging with all suppliers to assess the challenges faced and the action taken to address them.

DHSC are also directing suppliers to secure additional stocks, expedite deliveries where possible and review plans to further build capacity to support continued growth in demand for the short and long term. Supplies in the UK are expected to improve throughout the rest of 2024. However, DHSC anticipates supply to be limited for some strengths and we continue to work with all suppliers to ensure the remaining issues are resolved as soon as possible.

Departmental guidance sets clear expectations to schools, trusts and local authorities to provide a ‘support-first’ approach to school attendance. This guidance can be accessed at: https://assets.publishing.service.gov.uk/media/66bf300da44f1c4c23e5bd1b/Working_together_to_improve_school_attendance_-_August_2024.pdf.

The department knows that some pupils face more complex barriers to attendance, including pupils who have special educational needs and disabilities (SEND). Their right to an education is the same as any other pupil and therefore the attendance ambition for these pupils should be the same as it is for any other pupil. However, additional support may need to be provided to deliver those ambitions.

For pupils with SEND, schools are expected to work closely with parents to develop tailored support strategies and ensure pupils receive the provisions in their education, health and care plans. This includes implementing strategies to remove in-school barriers, such as considering reasonable adjustments to uniform, routines, lunchtime arrangements and access to support.