Special Educational Needs

HC Deb 28 February 2002 vol 380 cc1542-3W

Lynne Jones

To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills what plans she has to recall the SEN Toolkit issued earlier this year; and if she will revise its guidance on the quantification in SEN statements of (a) support and (b) equipment in accordance with the Code of Practice for the Identification and Assessment of Special Educational Needs. [38097]

Mr. Ivan Lewis

There are no plans to recall the SEN Toolkit or to revise the information in it on specifying provision in statements of SEN. This information is in accordance with the guidance given on these matters in the SEN Code of Practice and with the law on specifying provision in statements.

The Independent Panel for Special Educational Advice recently made an application to the High Court for a judicial review of the section of the SEN Toolkit on writing statements of SEN on the grounds that it was unlawful. The High Court has refused permission to bring a judicial review on consideration of the papers.