New Clause 1
Special Educational Needs (Information) Bill
11:00 am
Sharon Hodgson (Gateshead East and Washington West, Labour)
The new clause relates to a new section of the 1996 Act that was inserted by the 2001 Act. That new section ensures that parent partnership services are made available to parents of children with special educational needs.
The new clause is intended to increase the information available to parents, which is a laudable aim, but it is not consistent with the Bill’s stated objectives. The hon. Member for Mid-Dorset and North Poole talked about signposting and her major concerns about local authorities directing parents to the right schools. The issue is particularly problematic for parents with children who have SEN but no statement.
A statement brings with it more support, and parents can name whichever school they want, but my concern is about children who do not have a statement and who do not necessarily get the same support. Different schools can offer all sorts of facilities, but parents might not know what is available. I have highlighted that problem in my own borough, and I therefore have a lot of sympathy with the motive behind the new clause. It is vital that all parents—not just pushy parents—get the correct information.
My hon. Friend the Member for Luton, North said that, as an MP, he had helped to secure the provision that parents needed for their children. As MPs, we are, to an extent, increasingly having to fulfil the parent partnership role.
The hon. Member for Basingstoke mentioned the need for transparency and for information to be available on schools—this goes back to an earlier amendment—to help parents to find the right school and secure the right provision. She asked me to look again at that, and I certainly will. I will have discussions with the Minister before we consider the Bill on Report to ensure that if such a provision cannot be included in the Bill, we can have some assurances on guidelines.