§ Mr. Win GriffithsTo ask the Secretary of State for Education if he will make it his policy to ensure that when children are given statements of special educational needs that their parents or guardians are advised to investigate whether their children may be eligible for benefits and or the disabled living allowance.
§ Mr. ForthStatements for children with special educational needs are made by local education authorities. The code of practice on the identification and assessment of special educational needs, issued jointly by the Department and the Welsh Office in May this year, advised LEAs to work in close partnership with the parents of such children, and also with the local health and social services. How, within these collaborative arrangements, parents or guardians are advised on entitlement to benefit is best decided locally by the parties concerned.