New Clause 1
Special Educational Needs (Information) Bill
11:00 am
Annette Brooke (Shadow Minister (Children, Young People and Families), Children, Schools and Families; Mid Dorset and North Poole, Liberal Democrat)
I beg to move, That the clause be read a Second time.
I am conscious of the hour and happy to take guidance so that we can finish on time and perhaps return to the matter on Report, so I leave it in your hands, Mr. Atkinson, to indicate whether I have been talking for too long.
In 2005-06 and 2006-07, the Education and Skills Committee touched on the issue of the provision of information for parents. It has already been suggested that we should be child-orientated, and I do not doubt that we should, but some parents are more able than others to establish what provision for special educational needs is on offer.
I am sure that the best local authorities provide all the information that the new clause refers to, but all too often—I think this will resonate with hon. Members—parents come to our surgeries and say, “We have been offered only this school, but having visited it, we do not think it is right for our child.” The process can be very prescriptive, with the local authority knowing what is best. Although we have the so-called independent advice within the local authority, as I have mentioned, sadly there is not a great deal of trust that that advice will be independent.
The purpose of the new clause—I must thank the Bill Clerks for putting it in this form for me—is to amend the Education Act 1996. I simply envisage each local authority having a clear publication that covers the special schools within its area, the nature of any specialities within them and the schools where there is inclusion but perhaps also a special unit on site.
It is difficult for parents who do not have a background knowledge of education and schools to know that there might be a special dyslexia unit, for example, on the main school site. There might be a special unit that gives additional support for the deaf. I do not think that that information is available for all parents, and I feel that the child benefits when the parent is motivated to do the very best for the child.
Parents want the best provision for their children, but feel so thwarted at the moment and get doors shut in their face. This is basic information. With more specialist SEN, provision in a neighbouring LEA may need to be accessed. Each LEA has this type of information in a very simple form, and making it available would make life so much easier for parents. Let us face it: parents go through a constant battle when they have children with SEN. This change would make life so much better for them as it offers clear, honest and simple information. It would not place a huge burden on the local authority.