§ Paul HolmesTo ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills what steps her Department has taken to inform schools of the Schools Access Initiative Fund. [74139]
§ Mr. Stephen TwiggInformation on the Schools Access Initiative is available on the Department's Special Educational Needs website at www.dfes.gov.uk/sen including information about allocations to individual Local Education Authorities and advice on how to find out more. Guidance on capital issues, including Schools Access Initiative, is also available on the education resource website teachernet at www.teachernet.gov.uk
We sent guidance to all schools—Accessible Schools: Planning to increase access to schools for disabled pupils—in July this year. This included information on the Schools Access Initiative.
§ Paul HolmesTo ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills what steps her Department is taking to monitor the applications and spending decisions made under the Schools Access Initiative Fund, with particular reference to differing types of disability. [74140]
§ Mr. Stephen TwiggLocal Education Authorities (LEAs) in receipt of resources provided under the Schools Access Initiative, are required to submit an implementation report to the Department at the end of the financial year confirming the types of access work and schools which have been targeted, together with costs and potential benefits of the work. This information is not categorised according to type of disability.
LEAs are under a statutory duty to plan to increase the accessibility of their schools to disabled pupils, and the effective provision of access for disabled pupils in schools is an integral factor in the appraisal of Asset Management Plans. OfSTED will also monitor schools' accessibility plans as part of their inspections.