Special Needs Schools (Hansard, 13 February 1998)

§ The Minister of State, Department for Education and Employment (Baroness Blackstone):

Figures of this kind were not collected over the period 1979–96. It would not be possible to produce a reliable estimate without disproportionate cost. Since 1 May 1997 nine maintained and six independent schools catering specifically for children with emotional and behavioural difficulties have closed.

The Government set out their proposals for the future of special schools and for provision for pupils with emotional and behavioural difficulties in its Green Paper Excellence for all Children: Meeting Special Educational Needs. We seek to increase inclusion within mainstream provision and to secure advances in the early identification of needs and prevention of problems. We see a continuing role for special schools but believe there should now be changes in their role. We are wholly 248WA committed to promoting effective practice in schools catering specifically for pupils with emotional and behavioural difficulties. The heads of all these schools—about 370—in England are being invited to one of a series of workshops currently being run by my department and the Office for Standards in Education, to hear the latest inspection evidence and research findings on this subject and consider some practical solutions to problems. Local education authorities are also being invited to be represented. It is for local education authorities—and prospective independent proprietors—to consider the case for a new school in their area. The Green Paper proposes the development of regional planning arrangements, involving local education authorities and all the other interested parties, so as better to match the available places and special educational needs. We are considering the many helpful responses we have received to the Green Paper and are awaiting the advice of the national advisory group on special educational needs on the best ways forward.