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<p>The government is committed to having clear oversight of local areas’ performance
on special educational needs and disabilities (SEND). We work closely with Ofsted,
the Care Quality Commission (CQC) and our delivery partners to support and, where
appropriate, challenge those local areas at risk of, or who are, underperforming.</p><p>We
are still looking at the Autumn Spending Review settlement and working across the
department to ensure that it does have a measurable impact in reducing backlogs in
Education, Health and Care Plan (EHCP) assessments.</p><p>However, we currently support
local authorities to meet their statutory duties for SEND, including challenging those
local authorities where there are long-standing backlogs in EHCP assessments. As part
of this support, we deliver a training programme to local authorities, health, and
social care staff on their statutory duties, as well as funding projects to support
children with SEND. This in turn supports improved practice so that local authorities
are able to address backlogs more effectively.</p><p>Additionally, this year, local
authorities have access to £51.3 billion to deliver their core services, including
SEND services. Local authorities have the flexibility to spend according to local
needs and priorities, including to undertake Education, Health and Care needs assessments.</p><p>Also,
educational psychologists have a statutory duty to assess the needs of individual
children and young people for EHCPs. We provide funding to train cohorts of educational
psychologists. Since 2020, the number of trainees has increased from 160 to over 200
per year.</p><p> </p>
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