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Written question asked by Lord Bruce of Bennachie (Liberal Democrat) on Monday, 4 November 2013, in the House of Commons. It was due for an answer on Thursday, 7 November 2013 (named day). It was answered by Edward Timpson (Conservative) on Thursday, 7 November 2013 on behalf of the Department for Education.

Special Educational Needs: Hearing Impairment

Question

To ask the Secretary of State for Education what discussions (a) he and (b) ministers in his Department have had with Her Majesty's Chief Inspectorate of Education, Children's Services and Skills on inspecting specialist support services for deaf children.

Answer

The Secretary of State for Education, my right hon. Friend the Member for Surrey Heath (Michael Gove), and I have held discussions with Her Majesty's Chief Inspector of Education, Children's Services and Skills, Sir Michael Wilshaw, and Ofsted about inspecting local authorities' implementation of the reforms to support children with special educational needs including deaf children.

The Department for Education has asked Ofsted to carry out a study to identify best practice in preparing for the reforms and whether there is a need for an inspection framework to drive improvements. Ofsted will consider links with the Care Quality Commission (CQC) in developing this work. We will reflect on the implications of the study when it is completed.

We have no plans for Ofsted routinely to inspect local authority specialist services. To do so would impose significant new burdens on Ofsted and would impact on its ability to fulfil its current inspection commitments. It also risks giving schools the wrong impression that they are not responsible for deaf pupils or that those pupils are someone else's responsibility.

Secondary information

Type
Written question
Reference
174558; 570 c341W
Session
2013-14
Subjects
Hearing impairment Inspections Special educational needs
Link
View this Written question on www.publications.parliament.uk