§ Mr. Campbell-SavoursTo ask the Secretary of State for Education (1) what is the cost to each local authority in the United Kingdom of speech therapy services to children in schools; [33505]
(2) which local authorities in the United Kingdom make a contribution towards the cost of speech therapy services to school children; [33507]
(3) how many speech therapy posts providing services to school children are being supported by each local authority in England and Wales. [33508]
§ Mr. PaiceThis information is not collected centrally.
The code of practice on the identification and assessment of special educational needs provides guidance to schools and local authorities in England and Wales. It explains that the prime responsibility for the provision of speech therapy services to children rests with the NHS, and states that schools, LEAs and the NHS should co-operate closely in meeting the needs of children with communication problems.
§ Mr. Campbell-SavoursTo ask the Secretary of State for Education what surveys have been undertaken by her Department, associated bodies or sponsored organisations into the incidence of difficulties with speech in the case of children in each county in the United Kingdom.
§ Mr. PaiceNeither this Department nor any associated body has undertaken or funded such a survey. The Department, in collaboration with the Department of Health, is, however, funding the National Foundation for Educational Research to look at examples of good practice in the delivery of speech therapy to children.