§ Mr. Cashasked the Secretary of State for Education and Science if he will, in relation to specific learning difficulties, take steps to (a) provide a national standard, (b) encourage teachers to provide a national professional standard, (c) eliminate the different standards between different local education authority areas, (d) encourage local education authorities to consult with voluntary bodies providing support for children with such difficulties, (e) encourage local education authorities to make use of voluntary facilities in their areas, (f) provide proper training in teacher training colleges and (g) 308W provide counselling and professional assessment for those over the age of 16 years in colleges of further education and by careers officers.
§ Mr. DunnLocal education authorities have a duty under the 1981 Education Act to provide for school pupils with special educational needs according to their individual needs as assessed and, where appropriate, recorded in statements. The Department encourages co-operation with voluntary bodies and among LEAs through the standing regional conferences. The Government's policy on teacher training for special needs is set out in paragraphs 146 and 147 of "Better Schools" (Cmnd 9468). Under the new teacher training arrangements operative from 1987–88, all training in special educational needs will be provided through in-service training courses.
The Department is at present reviewing the standards of staffing for special educational needs and it is proposed to issue new advice in due course. It is for local education authorities to consider, in individual cases, what support should be made available in colleges of further education for students who have special educational needs.