Question to the Department for Education:

To ask the Secretary of State for Education, whether her Department plans to establish a confidential reporting mechanism for SEND whistleblowers, parents, carers, schools and professionals to report concerns about local authority SEND practice.

Concerns about local authority special education needs and disabilities (SEND) practice deserve to be taken seriously. If a parent, carer, school or professional has a complaint about a local authority, they should complain directly to the local authority. If they remain dissatisfied, they may refer the matter to contact the Local Government and Social Care Ombudsman.

All local areas are due to receive a full inspection under the current Ofsted and Care Quality Commission Area SEND inspection framework by the end of 2027. In the department’s recent SEND reform consultation, we proposed updating the framework to align with the clarified statutory roles that local authorities and Integrated Care Boards will have in relation to children and young people with SEND. We are carefully analysing responses to the consultation and will publish our response in due course. Any proposed changes to the Area SEND inspection framework will be subject to a full public consultation.

The department also monitors local authority performance, for example, through the publication of annual data on education, health and care plans and assessments, including timeliness. Local authorities that are performing poorly receive additional oversight and specialist advice. Where serious concerns arise, the department may intervene directly, using statutory powers and improvement partners to support recovery and improve services for children and young people.