To match an exact phrase, use quotation marks around the search term. eg. "Parliamentary Estate". Use "OR" or "AND" as link words to form more complex queries.

View sample alert

Keep yourself up-to-date with the latest developments by exploring our subscription options to receive notifications direct to your inbox

Written Question
Special Educational Needs
Tuesday 15th October 2024

Asked by: Oliver Ryan (Independent - Burnley)

Question to the Department for Education:

To ask the Secretary of State for Education, if she will take steps to improve the (a) process and (b) tools used to diagnose SEND in children.

Answered by Catherine McKinnell - Minister of State (Education)

This government’s ambition is that all children and young people with special education needs and disabilities (SEND) or in alternative provision receive the right support to succeed in their education and as they move into adult life. The department wants to drive a consistent and inclusive approach to supporting children and young people with SEND through early identification, effective support, high quality teaching and effective allocation of resources. The department’s approach will support families, breaking down the barriers to opportunity for their children.

The department knows that parents have struggled to get the right support for their children, particularly through long and difficult Education, Health and Care (EHC) plan processes. The department wants to make sure that EHC plan applications are processed promptly and, where required, are issued as quickly as possible so that children and young people can access the support they need. The department has listened to a wide range of people such as children and young people, parents, schools, colleges and local authorities and their partners, and it is deciding how to proceed based on these insights.

The department is also investing heavily in the SEND system, for example:

  • Investing a further £21 million to train 400 more educational psychologists across specialists.
  • Announcing that funded support for the 11,100 schools registered for the Nuffield Early Language Intervention programme would continue for 2024/25.
  • In partnership with NHS England, funding the Early Language and Support For Every Child (ELSEC) to trial new ways of working to earlier identify and support children with speech, language and communication needs in early years and primary schools, utilising Therapy Support Assistants.
  • Funding the Partnerships for Inclusion of Neurodiversity in Schools (PINS) programme, which will deploy specialists from both health and education workforces within mainstream primary school settings. PINS will build teacher and staff capacity to identify and meet the needs of neurodiverse children, including those with speech and language needs, through whole-school interventions.
  • Funding up to 7,000 early years staff to gain an accredited Level 3 early years SENCO qualification to support the development of the early years' workforce.
Select Committee
Susan Liverman
 SEN0091 - Solving the SEND Crisis

Written Evidence Jan. 28 2025

Inquiry: Solving the SEND Crisis
Inquiry Status: Closed
Committee: Education Committee (Department: Department for Education)

Found: long-term sustainability for the SEND system to improve experiences and outcomes for children and young

Select Committee
St. Bartholomew's C of E Primary School
 SEN0233 - Solving the SEND Crisis

Written Evidence Mar. 04 2025

Inquiry: Solving the SEND Crisis
Inquiry Status: Closed
Committee: Education Committee (Department: Department for Education)

Found: Support for children and young people with SEND Inclusion in mainstream schooling involves:SEN0233 

Arms Length Body Publication (Guidance)
NHS England

Jan. 30 2025

Source Page: Standardising community health services – Phase 1 codifying core community health services
Document: Standardising community health services - Phase 1 codifying core community health services (webpage)

Found: , such as speech and language therapy.

Select Committee
Liverpool John Moores University
 SEN0051 - Solving the SEND Crisis

Written Evidence Jan. 15 2025

Inquiry: Solving the SEND Crisis
Inquiry Status: Closed
Committee: Education Committee (Department: Department for Education)

Found: I was working in this sector before I had my children  I wish to highlight how stressful and traumatic

Select Committee
North Northamptonshire Parent Carer Voices
 SEN0423 - Solving the SEND Crisis

Written Evidence Mar. 17 2025

Inquiry: Solving the SEND Crisis
Inquiry Status: Closed
Committee: Education Committee (Department: Department for Education)

Found: We have collated responses from our members who are all Parent carers of children and young people 0

Arms Length Body Publication (In consultation)
NICE

Apr. 08 2025

Source Page: Rehabilitation for chronic neurological disorders including acquired brain injury
Publication Type: Draft guidance consultation
Document: Draft guideline (downloadable version) PDF 881 KB (webpage)

Found: and young people's experience of healthcare • Disabled children and young people up to 25 with severe

Select Committee
AllChild
 SEN0517 - Solving the SEND Crisis

Written Evidence Mar. 17 2025

Inquiry: Solving the SEND Crisis
Inquiry Status: Closed
Committee: Education Committee (Department: Department for Education)

Found: Since 2016, AllChild has worked with families to help thousands of children and young people, many of

Departmental Publication (Transparency)
Department of Health and Social Care

Feb. 25 2025

Source Page: Assistive technology research and development work: 2023 to 2024
Document: (PDF)

Found: individuals with disabilities, particularly those with speech, language and communication needs from

Departmental Publication (Transparency)
Department of Health and Social Care

Feb. 25 2025

Source Page: Assistive technology research and development work: 2023 to 2024
Document: (PDF)

Found: individuals with disabilities, particularly those with speech, language and communication needs from