HC Deb 01 November 2000 vol 355 cc501-2W
Mr. Boswell

To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment when he will publish the results of the consultation exercise on a new code of practice for special educational needs and announce his decision thereon. [135501]

Jacqui Smith

[holding answer 31 October 2000]Responses received to the recent consultation exercise on the draft revised special educational needs code of

Mr. Drew

To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment what plans he has to ensure a common approach to the Connexions service(a) within his Department and (b) between his Department and other Departments. [135498]

Mr. Wicks

[holding answer 31 October 2000]The Connexions service will make a major contribution towards the DFEE' s objectives to increase participation and attainment in learning throughout the teenage years, thereby providing an effective foundation for lifelong learning. Co-ordinating mechanisms exist to ensure that all the Department's polices for teenagers are developed taking account of the role of the Connexions service. The Connexions service plays a major role in the Government's strategy for support for young people at risk. Coherence between initiatives and policies in this area is overseen by a cross-departmental ministerial group chaired by the Secretary of State for Education and Employment. Implementation of the Connexions service is steered by a group of senior officials from all key Departments who meet on a regular basis.

Mr. Drew

To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment what quality assurance processes his Department will use to maximise the effectiveness of the Connexions programme. [135499]

Mr. Wicks

[holding answer 31 October 2000]The Department will ensure that Connexions partnerships deliver high quality and effective services by developing, in consultation with key stakeholders: an agreed set of comprehensive national quality delivery standards, a quality management framework which builds on the most appropriate features of established quality systems and, together with Ofsted, an inspection process which will assure that the standards are met. We will also be promoting the sharing of good practice between Connexions partnerships.