§ Mr. Amessasked the Secretary of State for Education and Science if he will set out the average amount of time it takes local education authorities to identify and assess children with special educational needs from first report to completion of assessment; and what are the minimum and maximum times taken.
§ Mr. DunnThis information is not available in the Department, and could be obtained only at disproportionate expense, if at all.
§ Mr. Amessasked the Secretary of State for Education and Science if he will make a statement on his policy on the supply of special educational provision for those children with special educational needs.
§ Mr. DunnIt is the duty of local education authorities, in securing the provision of sufficient schools for the children of their area, to have regard to the need for securing that special educational provision is made for pupils who have special educational needs. Under the Education Act 1981. local education authorities have a duty to identify such children, to assess their special educational needs and to arrange for special educational provision to be made for them, whether in ordinary or special schools, unless their parents have made suitable arrangements.