Source · Select Committees · Public Accounts Committee
Recommendation 17
17
Written evidence we received made it clear that some children with SEND struggled to learn...
Conclusion
Written evidence we received made it clear that some children with SEND struggled to learn remotely. SENSE told us that home learning resources were not always appropriate or tailored to the needs of children with complex disabilities, and that many children were left without the specialist equipment they needed, making it more difficult for them to communicate and learn remotely.31 The Institute of Education at the University of Reading highlighted how some parents had to adapt learning materials sent by schools to fit their child’s needs or source alternative materials from elsewhere.32
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.