§ Mr. PawseyTo ask the Secretary of State for Education and Science if he is now able to issue the addendum to circular 22/89 on special educational needs; and if he will make a statement.
§ Mr. FallonIn September 1989 my Department and the Department of Health issued circular 22/89 giving guidance to education, health and social services authorities on the procedures for assessments and statements under the Education Act 1981. Recent developments, in particular the implications of several legal cases, have made it necessary to provide further advice to authorities on certain aspects of those procedures. A draft addendum to circular 22/89 was issued last autumn for comment.
We have considered all of the comments received during the consultation period and today issued a final version of the addendum. The addendum includes guidance on the form and content of statements and makes clear that, where speech therapy is specified as special educational provision in a statement, the local education authority has a duty to ensure that it is arranged.
Copies of the addendum have been placed in the Library.