HC Deb 27 October 1997 vol 299 cc679-80W
Mr. Hinchliffe

To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment what training for persons working with special needs children in the classroom is recognised by his Department. [12483]

Ms Estelle Morris

The Department's new standards for trainee teachers mean that all newly-qualified teachers will understand their responsibilities under the special educational needs code of practice, be capable of identifying children with SEN and be able to differentiate teaching practice appropriately.

An additional qualification, approved by the Secretary of State, is mandatory for teachers of classes of visually-impaired and hearing-impaired children. The Green Paper on SEN, published last week, will address further issues about the professional development of teaching and non-teaching staff.

Mr. Hinchliffe

To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment what research his Department has evaluated into potential regional variations in provision for special needs children. [12482]

Ms Morris

The Department is aware, from its contact with parents, teachers, schools, voluntary organisations, local education authorities, and other service providers, that there are wide variations in the access to and the quality of provision available to pupils with special educational needs. That is why the Green Paper on SEN, "Excellence for All Children: meeting Special Educational Needs", which was published on 22 October, announced the Department's intention towork to secure a continuum of provision across the country, so that no matter where pupils live and what their needs, an appropriate level of support is available".

We recognise that not all LEAs will be able to provide the full range of support needed to achieve this aim. The Green Paper proposes, therefore, the development of regional planning arrangements for some aspects of SEN provision. We shall be consulting widely on this and other proposals contained in the Green Paper throughout the autumn. In the meantime we are supporting a project, co-ordinated by the Royal National Institute for the Blind, which is examining ways of securing effective regional co-ordination for certain aspects of SEN provision.

Mr. Hinchliffe

To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment in what circumstances parents with severely disabled children have the right to choose a non-mainstream education establishment outside the relevant local education authority area. [12484]

Ms Morris

Children with severe disabilities would normally be given a statement of special educational needs by their local education authority. The LEA must invite the parents of such children to name their preferred school when they are served a copy of the child's draft statement. The LEA is required to name the parents' preferred school—whether it is a mainstream or a special school—in the statement, provided it is appropriate to the child's age, ability, aptitude, and special educational needs, and is compatible with the interests of other children already in the school and with the efficient use of resources. If the parents' preferred school is maintained by another LEA, the home LEA must consult both the school governing body and the maintaining LEA of the school before naming the school in the statement. The school named in a child's statement is required to admit the child.