Question to the Department for Education:

To ask the Secretary of State for Education, what plans she has to ensure the proposed Specialist Provision Packages set out requirements for supporting children with hearing impairment; and by what date she expects these packages to be published.

Specialist provision packages are descriptions of support for children and young people with the most complex needs, who require long-term specialist provision. This includes children and young people with hearing impairments where appropriate, with packages covering the full range of support required to meet their needs.

An independent expert panel has been appointed to oversee the development of the specialist provision packages. The panel will engage with stakeholders to make sure its work is informed by a wide range of views and lived experience.

The packages will be published prior to the special educational needs and disabilities reform implementation and will be subject to regular review.