Question to the Department for Education:

To ask the Secretary of State for Education, with reference to the publication of New College Worcester’s report titled ‘Academically Successful and Independently Able’, what steps she is taking to clear the backlog of tribunal cases for visually impaired students needing EHCPs.

The department recognises the importance of ensuring that children and young people receive the support they need without unnecessary delay. We are working with the Ministry of Justice, HM Courts and Tribunals Service, and the judiciary to address the time families wait for hearings and decisions, including through recruitment of additional administrative and judicial resource, and concluding more appeals on paper without the need for a hearing.

These measures form part of a wider programme of work to improve timeliness, increase capacity and support earlier resolution of disputes, while maintaining fair and thorough consideration of every appeal.

Our ‘SEND Reform: Putting Children and Young People First’ consultation document set out broader reform proposals, focused on earlier identification of need and a more inclusive mainstream. These proposals should mean children and young people with special educational needs and disabilities (SEND) can access the support they need when they need it, without having to appeal to the SEND Tribunal.