This petition was submitted during the 2019-2024 parliament

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Petition Increase funding to early years settings which support children with SEN

The Government must surely recognise that cutting early years funding for children with SEN will have a detrimental effect on their learning. Research shows that there has been an increase in children with additional needs in speech, behaviour & learning needing support during the Covid-19 pandemic.

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I have worked in the Nursery sector for over 25 years and there remains a significant shortfall in Government funding to early years settings, calculated as £2.60 per child according to the Early Years Alliance. There is an increase in pressure for Early Years to deliver more services and support families, with access to other professional services, such as SEN Auditors and Early years improvement teams, being cut or removed entirely.

This petition is closed This petition ran for 6 months

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MPs discuss SEND and alternative provision improvement plan

On Monday 6 March the Minister for Children, Families and Wellbeing, Claire Coutinho MP, made a statement in the House of Commons about the Government's new Special Educational Needs and Disabilities (SEND) and Alternative Provision (AP) Improvement Plan.

The Minister updated MPs on the Government's progress to improve outcomes for children and young people with special educational needs and disabilities or alternative provision in England.

She said the Government will:

  • Develop new national special educational needs and disabilities and alternative provision standards to set out what support should be available.
  • Establish local SEND and AP partnerships.
  • Train thousands more early years special educational needs co-ordinators and 400 more educational psychologists.
  • Invest £2.6 billion by 2025 in new special and alternative provision places, and improve provision.
  • Publish guidance on ensuring effective transitions between all stages of education, and an effective transition into employment and adult services.
  • Invest in supported internships.
  • Expand school and college mental health support teams.

Following the statement the Minister was questioned by MPs.

What are Ministerial statements?

Ministerial statements are a way for Ministers to bring an important matter to the attention of the House.

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