Clinical commissioning groups of GPs will be required by law to secure specialist services for children with special educational needs (SEN) under reforms currently going through parliament.
The duty, announced yesterday, should mean that any under-25-year-old who has an education, health and care plan will be able to access health services, such as physiotherapy and speech and language therapy.
The move seeks to address problems in the current system, where parents have reported difficulties securing support from health providers in comparison to educational support.
Una Summerson, policy and public affairs manager at Contact a Family, said the announcement was a “welcomed strengthening of the Children and Families Bill,” which contains the SEN legislation.
“This is a very positive step forward for those children who will be eligible for an education, health and care plan. It’s something the sector has been pressing for since we saw the draft provisions last year,” said Summerson.
“For parents, the duty will help them not have to fight for health services. It will solve the problem of whether it’s the local authority or health services that have to provide care.”
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