§ Mr. Nigel JonesTo ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment what guidance he provides regarding inclusion of children with special educational needs in mainstream schools. [98762]
§ Jacqui SmithThe Code of Practice on the identification and assessment of special educational needs points out that LEAs have a qualified duty to secure that children with special educational needs, including children with statements, are educated in mainstream schools. The Code emphasises that, if parents express a preference for a mainstream school, the LEA must comply with that preference so long as the placement is appropriate to the child's needs, while also being compatible with the interests of other children already in the school and with the efficient use of the LEA's resources. The Code also points out that parents may express a preference for a maintained special school, and that if they do so the LEA no longer has a duty to secure a mainstream education for the child.
§ Mr. LoughtonTo ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment when he expects to publish his proposals for the education of children with special needs. [98635]
§ Jacqui SmithWe announced our intention on 17 November to introduce legislation in this Parliamentary session to improve the education of children with special educational needs. The Bill would take forward proposals set out in the document "Meeting Special Educational Needs: A Programme of Action.
§ Mr. LoughtonTo ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment what measures his Department is taking to raise the profile of the special educational needs of children with autistic disabilities. [98636]
§ Jacqui SmithOur SEN Programme of Action highlights the importance of improving provision for all children with special educational needs, including those with autistic spectrum disorders. To support the Programme we virtually doubled, to £35 million, targeted support for SEN under the Standards Fund in 1999–2000 and I recently announced a further substantial increase to £55 million for 2000–01. The Department is also funding Regional Collaboration Projects which are looking at provision for particular special needs, including autism.
We are committed to working with partners in the interests of children with autism. I hosted an Autism in Education Seminar on 21 September this year which brought together interested parties within and outside government to discuss future autism provision in the context of the Programme of Action. Following the seminar, we will be collecting examples of good practice and looking at ways of disseminating them. I was also pleased to speak at the launch of the National Autistic Society's current Autism 99 Internet conference, adding to the messages of support from my right hon. Friends the Prime Minister and the Secretary of State. The conference, which the Department has been helping to publicise, has a practical focus on meeting the needs of children and adults with autism and their families.