§ Miss KirkbrideTo ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills what provision is made for disability issues and education in the legislation governing residential special schools. [10710]
§ Mr. TimmsThe Special Educational Needs and Disability Act 2001, which comes into force in September 2002, will ensure that pupils in all schools receive protection from unfair discrimination. This Act will make it unlawful for education providers to discriminate against disabled pupils and prospective pupils by treating them less favourably on the grounds of their disability or by failing to make reasonable adjustments to ensure that disabled people are not placed at a substantial disadvantage. These provisions apply to admission to the school, the education and other associated services offered and provided to pupils' by the school, and exclusion from the school.
Under the Care Standards Act 2000, residential special schools will be obliged to ensure that residential, care and teaching staff work together to identify means of encouraging each child's personal, social, and educational development and achievement.Through both the Special Educational Needs and Disability Act 2001 and the Care Standards Act 2000 the Government are actively promoting welfare, safety, and quality educational provision for children in residential special schools.