Written question asked by Lord Morris of Manchester (Labour), in the House of Commons. It was due for an answer on Thursday, 20 March 1997. It was answered by Cheryl Gillan (Conservative) on Thursday, 20 March 1997 on behalf of the Department for Education and Employment.

Dept for Education and Employment

Question: If she will comment on the status of the Report produced by the Steering Committee on the Special Educational Needs Initiative; what is her Department's policy in respect of each of the recommendations; and what action she (a) has taken to date and (b) proposes to take.

Answer: Mr. Alfred Morris: To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment if she will make a statement on the status of the report produced by the Steering Committee on the special educational needs initiative; what is her Department's policy in respect of each of the recommendations; and what action she (a) has taken to date and (b) proposes to take. [21117] Mrs. Gillan: The SEN initiative is a consortium of LEAs in England and Wales, established by the Society of Education Officers in order to facilitate a national study into the management of LEA budgets for pupils with special educational needs. The first phase report, prepared by Coopers and Lybrand in consultation with a wide range of interests, offers guidance to participating LEAs; the second phase, now under way, is focused on the management of SEN budgets at school level. The Department has contributed £5,000 in 1996 and 1997 towards the costs of the study, and is represented on the steering committee for the initiative. It is for LEAs to consider the implications of the report, but we welcome the way in which the initiative has highlighted important issues for LEAs seeking to maximise the effectiveness of the resources devoted to children with special educational needs.

Secondary information