§ 15. Dr. Lynne JonesTo ask the Secretary of State for Education what assessment he has made of the costs involved in the implementation of the code of practice on special educational needs.
§ Mr. ForthThe guidance in the code should not give rise to additional costs: it reflects current good practice in identifying and assessing special educational needs and should result in the more effective and efficient use of existing funding. The Government have introduced new grant for education and training support in 1994–95 to help schools develop special educational needs policies in the light of the code of practice.
§ 17. Mr. HallTo ask the Secretary of State for Education what estimate he has made of the number of children who will require additional learning support including those who will require statements as a result of the implementation of the code of practice on the identification and assessment of special educational needs.
§ Mr. ForthParagraph 2:2 of the code of practice reflects the long-standing estimate that some 20 per cent. of pupils will have special educational needs at some stage of their school career. The purpose of the code of practice is to help ensure that these pupils' needs are appropriately met. Most children's needs will be met in mainstream schools without the making of a statement.