Question to the Department for Education:

To ask the Secretary of State for Education, what plans she has to help increase early identification of SEND needs; and reduce waiting times for (a) diagnosis and (b) support in West Dorset constituency.

The department knows that early identification and intervention is critical in improving the outcomes of children and young people with a special educational need or disability (SEND). An inclusive education system requires moving away from the current reliance on labels and diagnoses before support materialises. It needs to be able to accurately assess children and young people’s learning and development, and to effectively support their educational needs with evidence-based responses. To support this, the department is strengthening the evidence base of what works to improve early identification in all types of settings, including through commissioning evidence reviews from University College London, which will highlight the most effective tools, strategies and approaches for teachers and other relevant staff.

In addition, each Best Start Family Hub will have a children and family services professional specifically trained in working to support parents of children with additional needs. This will help identify children with SEND who may need extra help early on, making links with local early years settings and health services.