Question to the Department for Education:

To ask the Secretary of State for Education, whether selective mutism will be included in (a) the National Inclusion Standards, (b) Specialist Provision Packages and (c) the revised SEND Code of Practice; which organisations and professional groups with expertise in selective mutism her Department has consulted in developing those reforms; and what her planned timetable is for publishing the relevant draft standards, packages and Code.

The National Inclusion Standards will set out what ordinarily available provision should be in every setting across the 0 to 25 system, as well as evidence-based tools and approaches for educators to draw on to identify and support children and young people with special educational needs and disabilities (SEND), including selective mutism.

Specialist Provision Packages are descriptions of support for children and young people with the most complex needs. Some children and young people receiving support via a package may also have selective mutism.

An independent expert panel has been appointed to oversee the development of the National Inclusion Standards and 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.

In the reformed system, the SEND Code of Practice will set out the duties and guidance that enable settings meet the needs of children and young people with SEND, such as those with selective mutism. The department will undertake a full public consultation to ensure the updated Code reflects best practice and the views of children and young people, parents and carers, and professionals.

The publication of the draft packages and standards will align with forthcoming legislation, and details of further plans and timings for updating the Code will be shared following publication of the government’s response to the SEND Consultation.