Question to the Department for Education:

To ask the Secretary of State for Education, pursuant to the Answer of 7 September 2026 to Question 24473, whether the National Inclusion Standards will (a) explicitly identify selective mutism, (b) specify evidence-based interventions appropriate to selective mutism at the universal, targeted and targeted plus levels of support and (c) distinguish those interventions from general approaches to social, emotional and communication needs; and what her planned timetable is for publishing the relevant standards.

An independent expert panel, selected for their skills, knowledge and professional standing and led by education and health co-chairs, has been appointed to oversee the development of the National Inclusion Standards and Specialist Provision Packages and keep them under regular review. The panel will draw on evidence from academics, education leaders and specialist practitioners, including educational psychologists, speech and language therapists and occupational therapists. This process is ongoing. The panel has not specifically invited the Selective Mutism Information and Research Association to contribute to the standards to date, but the panel is continuing to test and engage widely with stakeholders from across the sector to ensure their recommendations are informed by professionals, and those with lived experiences of selective mutism and associated needs. By 2028, we will have invested up to £15 million to build the evidence base and provide the standards.