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Written question asked by Lord Goldsmith of Richmond Park (Conservative) on Monday, 3 September 2012, in the House of Commons. It was due for an answer on Wednesday, 5 September 2012. It was answered by Edward Timpson (Conservative) on Thursday, 20 December 2012 on behalf of the Department for Education.

Special Educational Needs

Question

To ask the Secretary of State for Education what steps he is taking to improve the process of obtaining a statement of special educational needs for people with (a) muscular dystrophy and related neuromuscular conditions and (b) other rare and complex conditions.

[119445]

Answer

We set out our plans for improving services and outcomes for all disabled children and young people, including those with muscular dystrophy, related neuromuscular conditions and other rare and complex conditions, in the 2011 Green Paper “Support and aspiration: A new approach to special educational needs and disability” and the subsequent “Progress and Next Steps” document, published in May 2012. The

draft provisions recently published are intended to be the next step towards achieving the Green Paper vision of a system where services work together more effectively to support families and young people and families themselves are part of decision-making rather than having to fight to secure the support that they need.

We intend to replace the current statement and Learning Difficulty Assessment with a holistic and outcomes-focused Education, Health and Care Plan which will be built on a stronger and more integrated process of assessment and planning. We are also introducing a requirement for local authorities and clinical commissioning groups to commission services jointly for children and young people with special educational needs (this includes those who have a disability which restricts them from accessing normally available educational provision). This is a significant change and will require services to work together to jointly agree what support is needed and for whom—cutting across some of the traditional gaps experienced by families between education, health and social care services.

20 pathfinders, involving 31 local authorities and their health partners, have been appointed to test the proposals in the Green Paper and will inform the changes we make to legislation through the planned Children and Families Bill. The pathfinders are focusing on involving parents and young people more fully in decisions about the education, health and care of their children, including trialling personal budgets for those who want them, and developing a clear offer of the support that is available locally.

Secondary information

Type
Written question
Reference
119445; 555 cc896-7W
Session
2012-13
Subjects
Special educational needs Muscular dystrophy
Link
View this Written question on www.publications.parliament.uk