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<p>The department works closely with the Disabled Children’s Partnership and we are
reviewing the findings of their latest report.</p><p>The Children and Families Act
2014 (Section 97) requires local authorities to assess and support the needs of parents/carers
as well as those of children with special educational needs and disabilities (SEND).
Assessments are based on individual needs but should include parents’ well-being and
‘control over day-to-day life’.</p><p>The SEND code of practice also makes clear that
local authorities must give their decision in response to any request for an education,
health and care (EHC) needs assessment within a maximum of 6 weeks from when the request
was received or the point at which a child or young person was brought to the local
authority’s attention.</p><p>However, the SEND system currently does not deliver for
all children and young people with SEND. We further recognise that the COVID-19 outbreak
disproportionately impacted young people with SEND and their families, which is why
we are conducting a review of the SEND system. The department uses data to monitor
and assess local authority performance and has been supporting local authorities to
meet their statutory duties for SEND, including by providing challenge and support
to those local authorities where there are long-standing delays.</p><p>Ofsted and
the Care Quality Commission continue with their full inspection programme and our
team of SEND advisers and colleagues in NHS England are continuing to provide support
and challenge to help improve performance.</p><p>Depending on the underlying issues
that each local authority faces, such as those relating to EHC assessments, we commission
specialist and regional support from our delivery partners or facilitate peer to peer
support.</p>
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