Source · Select Committees · Public Accounts Committee
Recommendation 14
14
On 1 May 2020, the Department temporarily changed aspects of the law on EHC needs...
Conclusion
On 1 May 2020, the Department temporarily changed aspects of the law on EHC needs assessments and plans, to give local authorities, health commissioning bodies, education providers and other bodies more flexibility in the context of the pandemic. These changes temporarily removed the requirement to complete assessments and plans within a fixed timeframe, and responsible bodies were required only to use their ‘reasonable endeavours’ to secure the provision within an EHC plan.24 In its written evidence, SENSE (a national charity for those living with complex disabilities) told us that, while it understood the need 15 Q 56 16 Q 57 17 C&AG’s Report, para 2.8 18 COE0026 NSPCC submission, pages 1–2 19 Q 54 20 Q 52 21 COE0026 NSPCC submission, page 4 22 Q 55 23 Q 85 24 C&AG’s Report, para 1.14 COVID-19: Support for children’s education 11 to relieve pressure on schools, local authorities and health commissioners, the changes had left families without the care and support they relied on to look after their disabled children safely. It also told us that many children’s support had not been fully reinstated, despite the temporary legal changes no longer being in place.25
Government Response
Acknowledged
HM Government
Acknowledged
3.1 The government agrees with the Committee’s recommendation. Target implementation date: Autumn 2021 3.2 As part of the department’s 2020-21 recovery plan, it is working closely with the Department for Health and Social Care (DHSC), NHS England and Public Health England to establish what impact the pandemic has had on access to therapies so that it has the right actions in place to help children with special educational needs and disabilities (SEND). 3.3 In November 2020, DHSC announced £500 million for mental health and the NHS workforce. As part of that, £31 million will be used to address challenges faced by individuals with a learning disability and autistic people, including £3 million for community respite services for autistic children and young people, and children and young people with a learning disability. 3.4 The department is also investing an additional £79 million in mental health in schools support teams to cover around 35% of pupils in England by 2023. 3.5 The department continues to work closely with DHSC to make children’s mental health and wellbeing a central part of its response.