4. Statement by the Minister for Education: Coronavirus (COVID-19)

Part of the debate – in the Senedd at 4:47 pm on 29 April 2020.

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Photo of Mark Isherwood Mark Isherwood Conservative 4:47, 29 April 2020

[Inaudible.]—schools in Wales should close in response to COVID-19, with the exception of making provision for children who are vulnerable or whose parents are critical to the COVID-19 response. You said that vulnerable children include those with care and support plans and statements of special educational needs, and I commend all the staff on the rotas for this, including my youngest son.

How do you respond, therefore, to the probation officer living in Wrexham who contacted me this morning, whose autistic son meets the criteria but has not been allowed any educational provision since the start of the crisis because, quote, 'The headteacher's refusing to open special provision for disabled children'? Or the Flintshire mother who contacted me last night, whose daughter has severe autism, severe learning disability and ADHD and also meets the criteria, who told me that 'even though we're in our sixth week of lockdown, there's still been no news on when a hub is opening'?