Written question asked by Lord Boswell of Aynho (Conservative) on Monday, 11 December 2000, in the House of Commons. It was due for an answer on Thursday, 14 December 2000. It was answered by Baroness Smith of Malvern (Labour) on Thursday, 14 December 2000 on behalf of the Department for Education and Employment.

Dept for Education and Employment

Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment, if he will list the public bodies which (a) are under a duty to and (b) may advise local education authorities of special educational needs of children under the age of five years in order to assist them in planning provision for compulsory years of school attendance; and if he will make a statement on the collation and coordination of such information of needs.

Answer: Mr. Boswell: To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment if he will list the public bodies which (a) are under a duty to and (b) may advise local education authorities of special educational needs of children under the age of five years in order to assist them in planning provision for compulsory years of school attendance; and if he will make a statement on the collation and coordination of such information of needs. [142629] Jacqui Smith: The Government attach importance to effective identification of special educational needs in respect of children under five. Early education settings are required to have regard to the current SEN Code of Practice and this has been amplified in a full chapter of the draft revised Code issued for consultation in the summer devoted to identification, assessment and provision in early education settings. This chapter refers to the legal requirement placed on child health services to inform both parents and the appropriate local education authority where they believe a child has special educational needs. The draft Code offers advice on contact between early education providers and child health services and we are currently considering comments offered on this, and other, sections of the draft document.

Secondary information

Type: Written question
Reference: 359 c239-40W;359 c237-8W; 142629
Session: 2000-01
Subjects: Children Disclosure of information Codes of practice Parents Pre-school education Local education authorities Special educational needs Community health services
Link: View this Written question on www.publications.parliament.uk