Source · Select Committees · Education Committee
Recommendation 79
79
Acknowledged
Identify SEND as health system priority, strengthening ICB accountability and senior officer visibility.
Conclusion
SEND should be identified as a priority across the health system and ongoing NHS restructuring must be used as an opportunity to strengthen the role and accountability of health services in supporting children and young people with SEND. This includes ensuring that ICBs are fully engaged in local SEND systems, with clearly defined responsibilities and mechanisms for joint planning and delivery. The seniority, authority and visibility of senior responsible officers for SEND within ICBs must be increased. (Recommendation, Paragraph 276)
Government Response Summary
The government acknowledges the importance of partnership between education, health, and care services and describes ongoing collaboration to improve access to community health services. They mention a new SEND inspection framework covering LAs and ICBs, but do not commit to specifically increasing the seniority or visibility of Senior Responsible Officers for SEND within ICBs, stating they will give full consideration to the Committee's recommendations.
Government Response
Acknowledged
HM Government
Acknowledged
Shared. Education, health and care services should work in partnership with one another, local government, families, teachers, experts and representative bodies to deliver better experiences and outcomes for all our children. The Department is working closely with DHSC and NHS England to improve access to community health services, such as speech and language therapy, for children and young people with SEND. As set out in the 10 Year Health Plan for England, building on the successes of programmes such as Early Speech and Language for Every Child, we will ensure that education and healthcare providers work together with other local services to plan and deliver evidence-based early interventions for children. We will focus on ensuring allied health professionals, such as speech and language or occupational therapists, who are vital for supporting children and young people with SEND, are more effectively deployed spending time supporting children not on bureaucracy and admin. Ongoing health and social care engagement is essential in delivering effective education and support to children and young people with EHCPs. The SEND Tribunal currently makes non-binding decisions in relation to health and social care appeals, where there is also an appealable educational element. We know that in the majority of cases, these recommendations are followed by health bodies. We will, however, give full consideration to the Committee’s recommendations. A new SEND inspection framework launched in January 2023, with all local areas to be inspected by 2027 to improve outcomes for children and young people with SEND. This inspection covers the role of the LA and the ICB. Where a local area does not meet its duties, DfE can take action that prioritises children’s needs and supports local areas to bring about rapid improvement.