Source · Select Committees · Public Accounts Committee
Recommendation 4
4
Accepted
Require DHSC to detail ICB SEN prioritisation, workforce plans, and targets for reducing waiting lists.
Recommendation
Accessing health expertise presents a significant barrier to identifying and supporting SEN needs. DHSC plays a critical role in the SEN system. It jointly published with DfE the Code of Practice and 2023 improvement plan and is responsible for overseeing local health service providers. Currently, only 2 out of 32 competing priorities for the National Health Service (NHS) relate to SEN. DHSC recognises it could improve Integrated Care Boards’ (ICBs) focus on SEN. Since 2023, it requires each ICB to appoint an executive lead for SEN and recent planning guidance asks ICBs to look at community health services. Despite increasing need, DHSC does not have data to understand current long waiting times for health support, with reports of children waiting years to access children’s and adolescents’ mental health support (CAMHS). DHSC is still working on a solution - it has committed more funding and aspires to provide more support for speech and language therapy and CAMHS. However, with staffing being considered as part of a wider 10-year plan for NHS recovery, it is unclear when there will be wider progress. recommendation Within six months, DHSC should set out how ICBs will consider SEN alongside wider priorities; how its longer-term workforce plans will address current and forecast SEN skill shortfalls; and its processes, plans and targets for reducing related waiting lists.
Government Response Summary
The government agrees, stating Integrated Care Boards (ICBs) already have board-level executive leads for SEND. It commits to publishing the NHS 10 Year Plan in spring 2025 and a refreshed Long Term Workforce Plan in summer 2025, which are intended to address current and forecast SEN skill shortfalls and waiting lists as part of broader health system reforms.
Government Response
Accepted
HM Government
Accepted
The government agrees with the Committee’s recommendation. duties as set out in relevant legislation, including the Children and Families Act 2014. Each ICB must have a board-level executive lead for children and young people with SEND, to ensure sufficient focus. Decisions are taken locally based on local population health and care needs. On 30 January 2025, the government’s mandate to NHS England was published, and NHS England published its priorities and operational planning guidance for 2025-26. These reflect patient priorities to cut waiting times, improve primary care access and improve urgent and emergency care. These will be delivered through a new operating model, devolving power closer to the frontline. The government has set an ambition to raise the healthiest generation of children ever. The Department of Health and Social Care (DHSC) is working closely with the Department for Education, given the health system’s important role in support of the Opportunity Mission. The government has committed to build a health and care system fit for the future; the NHS 10 Year Plan will be published in spring 2025. In addition, NHS England will be integrated into DHSC, which will create an organisation better placed to transform our care services and NHS, to deliver timely, quality care. In summer 2025, the government will publish a refreshed Long Term Workforce Plan. The government is working to ensure the NHS has the right people, in the right places, with the right skills to deliver the care patients need, when they need it.