Question to the Department for Education:

To ask the Secretary of State for Education, what steps he is taking to ensure children with special needs have the required support in schools.

Education is a devolved matter, and the response outlines the information for England only.

This government’s ambition is that all children and young people with special educational needs and disabilities (SEND) receive the right support to succeed in their education and as they move into adult life.

As part of our Plan for Change, we are determined to fix the SEND system and restore the trust of parents by ensuring schools have the tools to better identify and support children before issues escalate to crisis point.

We will strengthen mainstream inclusivity and accountability through Ofsted, support the mainstream workforce to increase their SEND expertise, and encourage schools to set up resourced provision or special educational needs units to increase capacity in mainstream schools.

We are actively working with parents and experts on solutions, including more early intervention to prevent needs from escalating and £740 million to encourage councils to create more specialist places in mainstream schools.

Any changes we make will improve support for children and parents, stop parents having to fight for support, and protect effective provision currently in place. Details of the government's intended approach to SEND reform will be set out in a Schools White Paper in the autumn, including for early years and post-16.