§ Mrs. Gwyneth DunwoodyTo ask the Secretary of State for Education what action she is taking to implement the findings of the Audit Commission report on special needs pupils. [16592]
§ Mr. ForthThe Audit Commission/HMI report "Getting in on the Act" was published in June 1992 and made several recommendations to enhance clarity and accountability in schools and LEAs to ensure better provision for pupils with special educational needs.
The recommendations have been the subject of revised legislation in part III of the Education Act 1993; and in guidance within several circulars covering the organisation of special educational provision, pupils with problems, and local management of schools. The Government have also issued a code of practice on the identification and assessment of special educational needs, which came into force on 1 September 1994.
A subsequent Audit Commission report "The Act Moves On: Progress in Special Educational Needs" acknowledges that the code of practice has been warmly welcomed by almost all those involved in education and indicates that the Government have acted promptly to 446W address those deficiencies in the national framework which were suggested by the 1992 report.