HC Deb 29 January 1985 vol 72 cc82-3W
Mr. Freud

asked the Secretary of State for Education and Science if he will make a statement on the current level of and trends in the provision of education for children between 16 and 19 years who have been assessed as having special educational needs.

Sir Keith Joseph

The number of pupils in the age range 16 to 19 in special schools rose from 5,586 in 1980 to 8,767 in 1984. This reflects a welcome trend in the extension of provision for this group of pupils. Although there are no equivalent figures available for students with special educational needs in full-time further education I am aware that colleges are increasingly providing for such students, particularly for those with moderate learning difficulties.

Mr. Freud

asked the Secretary of State for Education and Science what guidance has most recently been issued by his Department regarding the duty of local education authorities to provide education for handicapped pupils in the 16 to 19 years age range.

Sir Keith Joseph

I have made clear on a number of occasions my view that local education authorities have a duty to provide full-time education for young people aged 16 to 19 who seek it, including those with special educational needs.

Mr. Freud

asked the Secretary of State for Education and Science if he will list his powers regarding the education of young people between 16 and 19 years who have been assessed as having special educational needs.

Sir Keith Joseph

My powers are as follows:—

  1. (1) to determine appeals under section 5(6) of the Education Act 1981 against a decision by a local education authority not to issue a statement of special educational needs in respect of such a young person who is a registered pupil at a school;
  2. (2) to determine appeals under section 8(6) of the Education Act 1981 against the special educational provision to be made under a statement of special educational needs;
  3. (3) to investigate and determine complaints under sections 68 and 99 of the Education Act 1944 that a local education authority has acted, or is proposing to act, unreasonably, or has failed in a statutory duty.

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