To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, whether he has had recent discussions with the Secretary of State for Education on the role that health and social services have in filling the workforce gaps in the specialist support for children and young people with special educational needs that were identified in the SEND review.
Answered on
18 January 2023
Ministers have regular discussions on cross Government policy issues, including in relation to Special Educational Needs and Disabilities (SEND) and Alternative Provision (AP).
The SEND and AP green paper sets out our proposal to commission analysis to ensure that the health needs of children and young people with SEND are supported through effective workforce planning. We propose to work with Health Education England, NHS England and the Department for Education to build on existing evidence and build a clearer picture of demand for support for children and young people with SEND from the therapy and diagnostic workforce.
Following the Department of Education’s consultation on the green paper proposals, respective Departments are working closely on the development of an improvement plan to deliver change and continue to improve the experience and outcomes for children and young people with SEND and those who need AP. This is due to be published early this year.