Written question asked by Ashok Kumar (Labour) on Wednesday, 14 May 2003, in the House of Commons. It was due for an answer on Monday, 9 June 2003. It was answered by Ivan Lewis (Labour) on Monday, 9 June 2003 on behalf of the Department for Education and Skills.

Dept for Education and Skills

Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills, pursuant to his Answer of 8th April 2003, 403 c133W, on autism, what consultations have been held on, and what definition will be used for, the collection of special educational needs data from schools and Local Education Authorities. - Including figures.

Answer: Dr. Kumar: To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills pursuant to his Answer of 8 April 2003, Official Report, column 133W, on autism, what consultations have been held on, and what definition will be used for, the collection of special educational needs data from schools and Local Education Authorities. [114503] Mr. Ivan Lewis: On 29 November draft guidance, including a draft set of descriptions of each of the types of SEN we will be collecting, was sent out to a sample of 50 schools, 30 LEAs and 50 voluntary organisations for consultation. At the same time the information was placed on the DfES Consultation website. Comments were requested on both the accuracy and the clarity of the descriptions and respondents were also asked to make general comments. The consultation closed on 6 March 2003 and 120 responses were received. Amendments to the guidance have now been made in the light of the responses received. A final version will be sent to LEAs and published on the DfES SEN website in the near future and a copy will be placed in the Library.

Secondary information

Type: Written question
Reference: 114503; 406 c602W
Session: 2002-03
Subjects: Autism Local education authorities Schools Special educational needs
Contains statistics: Yes
Link: View this Written question on www.publications.parliament.uk