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<p>The special educational needs and disability (SEND) code of practice makes clear
that local authorities must give their decision in response to any request for an
education, health and care 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. The department is aware of the evidence in recently
published reports by Ofsted and the Disabled Children’s Partnership that the COVID-19
outbreak disproportionately affected children with disabilities and had a detrimental
effect on the well-being of their families. The department recognises that improvement
is needed so that the system works better for children and their families.</p><p>Steps
that the department are taking to tackle delays include:</p><ul><li>Providing support
and challenge to those local authorities where there are long-standing delays.</li><li>The
department's team of SEND advisers and colleagues in NHS England continuing to work
with local areas where delays are identified through the Ofsted and Care Quality Commission
inspection programme.</li><li>For some local authorities, the department commissions
specialist support from our delivery partners, such as the Council for Disabled Children.</li><li>The
department delivers training programmes to local authorities, health and social care
staff across the country on their statutory assessment duties.</li></ul><p> </p><p>The
government’s review of the SEND system is making progress in identifying improvements
needed to secure lasting and tangible change, drawing on significant input from a
wide range of organisations, children, young people and parents. Proposals for consultation
will be published in the first three months of 2022.</p>
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