Asked by: Matt Hancock (Independent - West Suffolk)
Question to the Department for Education:
To ask the Secretary of State for Education, with reference to the guidance entitled Mobile phones in schools, published on 19 February 2024, what steps her Department is taking to ensure that students with special educational needs and disabilities who rely on mobile phones and technology for learning are not disproportionately affected by that guidance.
Answered by Damian Hinds - Minister of State (Education)
All schools should have a behaviour policy which is aligned with the school’s legal duties and standards relating to the welfare of children. As part of this policy, schools should develop a mobile phone policy that prohibits the use of mobile phones and other smart technology with similar functionality to mobile phones.
Exemptions may be required for children with specific special educational needs or disabilities, including users of assistive technology. Schools have a duty under the Equality Act 2010 to take such steps as is reasonable to avoid substantial disadvantage to a disabled pupil caused by the school’s policies or practices. Allowing a disabled pupil access to their mobile phone during the school day, where it is necessary due to the nature of their disability, may be considered a reasonable adjustment and a failure to do so may be a breach of the school’s duty.
Headteachers remain responsible for deciding how to implement a mobile phone policy, taking into account the unique context of each school and its pupils. Headteachers should assess each case for adjustments and adaptations on its own merits.
The ‘Mobile phones in schools’ guidance contains practical advice for schools, including case studies, which consider how to ensure that the needs of all children are met while continuing to remove distractions in lessons and create an environment where children can focus on learning and building friendships.
Asked by: Matt Hancock (Independent - West Suffolk)
Question to the Department for Education:
To ask the Secretary of State for Education, whether her Department has put provisions in place to accommodate the needs of students with special educational needs and disabilities who rely on (a) mobile phones and (b) other technology for learning.
Answered by Damian Hinds - Minister of State (Education)
All schools should have a behaviour policy which is aligned with the school’s legal duties and standards relating to the welfare of children. As part of this policy, schools should develop a mobile phone policy that prohibits the use of mobile phones and other smart technology with similar functionality to mobile phones.
Exemptions may be required for children with specific special educational needs or disabilities, including users of assistive technology. Schools have a duty under the Equality Act 2010 to take such steps as is reasonable to avoid substantial disadvantage to a disabled pupil caused by the school’s policies or practices. Allowing a disabled pupil access to their mobile phone during the school day, where it is necessary due to the nature of their disability, may be considered a reasonable adjustment and a failure to do so may be a breach of the school’s duty.
Headteachers remain responsible for deciding how to implement a mobile phone policy, taking into account the unique context of each school and its pupils. Headteachers should assess each case for adjustments and adaptations on its own merits.
The ‘Mobile phones in schools’ guidance contains practical advice for schools, including case studies, which consider how to ensure that the needs of all children are met while continuing to remove distractions in lessons and create an environment where children can focus on learning and building friendships.
Asked by: John Hayes (Conservative - South Holland and The Deepings)
Question
To ask the Minister for Women and Equalities, how much the Equality and Human Rights Commission has spent on external consultancies in the last five years.
Answered by Maria Caulfield - Parliamentary Under Secretary of State (Department for Business and Trade) (Minister for Women)
As an executive non-departmental public body that is operationally independent, this is for the Equality and Human Rights Commission to respond. I have attached the response from the Interim Chief Executive below.
May. 02 2024
Source Page: UK-EU Trade and Cooperation Agreement, UK Domestic Advisory Group: 2024 to 2025 priorities reportFound: • Citizens ’ Rights and Equality issues. 3 Contents Cross -cutting issues .......
Formal Minutes May. 02 2024
Committee: Home Affairs Committee (Department: Home Office)Found: National Fire Chiefs Council, Kath Billing, Chief Fire Officer of Cornwall Fire and Rescue Service and Equality
May. 02 2024
Source Page: Two Board Members Reappointed to The National Lottery Community FundFound: Practice Development at the Joseph Rowntree Foundation, senior research roles at the Commission for Racial Equality
May. 02 2024
Source Page: UEFA EURO 2028 - commercial rights protection: Public consultationFound: 17 The nine p rotected characteristics under the Equality
May. 02 2024
Source Page: Flu & COVID-19 Vaccination Programme (FVCV) 2023-24 Child Rights and Wellbeing Impact AssessmentFound: research available continues to grow.This impact assessment should be read in conjunction with the Equality
May. 02 2024
Source Page: Implementation of the Tied Pubs (Scotland) Act 2021: Data Protection Impact AssessmentFound: If the Adjudicator decides to collect equality information, this could result in changes to its practices
May. 02 2024
Source Page: Secondary legislation to implement the Tied Pubs (Scotland) Act 2021: Island Communities Impact Assessment ScreeningFound: island.A discussion on island issues was held with Scottish Government policy officials as part of the Equality