Vol. 513 No. 6
58 Dr. Upton asked the Minister for Education and Science if he will undertake a national survey of special educational needs as a first step towards tackling this problem; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [3248/00]
At present, my Department collects statistics on the number of pupils with special needs attending special schools and special classes attached to mainstream primary schools. However, information on special needs pupils attending mainstream schools on a fully integrated basis is not specifically collected.
My Department is currently planning to extend the range of data gathered on special needs pupils as part of the development of a comprehensive database on individual pupils. The objective is to develop a database which will provide critical information on all pupils, including those with special needs, to support the development and implementation of policy.
A total of £4.5 million is being provided to develop this database over the next three years. This includes £500,000 which is being provided in the current year. The IT unit of my Department is currently preparing a development plan for the database project and it is intended to implement the first phase in a pilot group of schools during the coming school year. It is anticipated that the project will use the latest Internet-based technologies to facilitate the convenient transfer of data to my Department from schools.
Also, arising from a Government decision of October 1998, all children assessed as having special educational needs within the primary system now have an automatic entitlement to special support services. Already, as a result of this development, my Department has allocated an additional 225 resource teachers and 642 child care assistants to support children with special needs in the primary system.
All primary schools have been advised of this development and of the procedures to be fol lowed in seeking support for special needs pupils. My Department is responding to requests for support on an ongoing basis and will continue to make relevant resources available to support such pupils. This process is already providing significant and valuable data on the prevalence of special needs within the primary system. The database which is now being planned will facilitate the development of a more detailed and comprehensive picture of the level of special needs within the system.
Does the Minister agree that given how critical early intervention is in identifying special needs and in ensuring the best outcome for the pupils, something beyond a pilot scheme is appropriate? A complete survey based on, for example, a statistically based sampling plan should be introduced as a matter of urgency.
The purpose of the development is to have a continuing information system and that does not exist, so it is being installed at present. It will provide the kind of multi-faceted information that is necessary to fully understand the needs involved, particularly where children are integrated into mainstream schools; there is very little information on this available centrally.
There is wide recognition that problems such as ADD in particular, even on anecdotal evidence, is clearly on the increase. Surely a pilot scheme is not adequate in the circumstances and the situation should be reviewed on a school by school basis, or, if necessary, on a pupil by pupil basis. Professionals and a professional backup service should be put in place to identify the pupils in every school where these needs arise.
There are two different matters involved. One is providing the support and staffing and in the past two years there has been a huge development in additional staffing in this area, which will continue. There have been difficulties in getting people available. As I said, 642 child care assistants and 225 resource teachers were provided, but statistical information is a separate issue. Care is being provided, but statistical information will be gathered on an ongoing basis as quickly as possible. Obviously it is important to extend that as fast as we can.
I welcome the increased services but a national survey is still absolutely essential.
