§ Mr. Barry JonesTo ask the Secretary of State for Wales (1) what assessment he has made of the coordination between the local education authority and health authority of speech therapy services for schoolchildren in Flintshire; [4457]
(2) if he will consult parents, teachers and governors concerning the future of speech therapy services in schools; and if he will make a statement; [4455]
(3) what is his policy on speech therapy in schools; [4453]
(4) what plans he has to improve speech therapy services to schoolchildren. [4454]
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§ Mr. HainHealth authorities are primarily responsible for providing speech therapy services, including services to children. If a health authority cannot provide speech therapy for a child whose statement of special educational needs identifies a need, the local education authority has to ensure the provision is made in view of its duty to maintain statements. Health authorities are statutorily required to comply with requests from LEAs unless the request is unreasonable and subject to sufficient resources. Welsh Office guidance to LEAs and health authorities has drawn attention to this duty. Copies of the guidance has been placed in the Library of the House.
The Welsh Office has introduced new measures to improve the recruitment of speech therapists. The Department has also introduced two new core indicators for health authorities which will help measure the service they provide for children with statements.
Neither my right hon. Friend nor I have made an assessment of co-ordination in Flintshire. I understand that representatives from six North Wales LEAs met the North Wales Health Authority recently to discuss the future planning of speech therapy services in the area.
We have no immediate plans to consult parents, teachers and governors. However, we shall be assessing the effectiveness of the initiatives over the coming months and reviewing the position more generally.