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Written question asked by Baroness Fraser of Craigmaddie (Conservative) on Tuesday, 21 July 2026, in the House of Lords. It was due for an answer on Tuesday, 4 August 2026. It was answered by Baroness Smith of Malvern (Labour) on Tuesday, 4 August 2026 on behalf of the Department for Education.

Special Educational Needs

Question

To ask His Majesty's Government, further to the Written Answer by Baroness Smith of Malvern on 14 July (HL1473), what mechanisms are in place to ensure that (1) the expert panel is publicly accountable, and (2) the wider community can submit feedback on the standards and specialist provision packages being developed.

Answer

The independent expert panel has been appointed to oversee the development of the National Inclusion Standards and Specialist Provision Packages. The panel will draw on evidence from academics, education leaders and practitioners, the Education Endowment Foundation, health and social care professionals, and UKRI. They will promote high-quality, evidence-based practice, to ensure accountability and alignment across the system.

The panel will also engage with stakeholders from the wider community, including children, young people, families, practitioners, local authorities and representative organisations to make sure their recommendations are informed by a wide range of views and lived experience. A parent engagement group to support the panel's work is being established.

The panel will publish their recommendations on draft Specialist Provision Packages for the department and the Department of Health and Social Care to decide on. The departments will be accountable for decision-making on the Specialist Provision Packages.

Secondary information

Type
Written question
Reference
HL2403
Session
2026-27
Related items
Special Educational Needs
Tuesday, 14 July 2026
Written questions
House of Lords
Subjects
Accountability Standards Special educational needs
Link
View this Written question on www.parliament.uk