3. Will the Minister make a statement on attendance levels in special schools during the COVID-19 public health emergency? OQ55920

David, the uncertainties arising from the coronavirus pandemic are particularly challenging for children and young people with additional learning needs and their families, and those who support and care for them. I'm committed to doing everything possible to support these learners, parents and carers during this difficult time.

Thank you, Minister, for that answer. I wonder if you've had the chance to reflect on Professor Sally Holland, the children's commissioner's remarks to the Children, Young People and Education Committee earlier this month, that certainly, during lockdown, there was a huge variety of service, running from those schools offering full-time attendance or active outreach, to hubs that barely existed, and the frequency of travel arrangements breaking down so that these students were unable to get either to the school or to the hub, and that we don't see a repeat of this in any future disturbance, and that we place a high emphasis on attendance levels in special schools, because there is a lot of ground to catch up. 

Thank you, David. I think it's important to note that, unlike other jurisdictions, we did not amend any of our existing regulations and laws pertaining to services for children with additional learning needs. But I agree with you, the situation on the ground was patchy in terms of different levels of support. I'm aware of excellent practice, schools that never closed and had their students attending on a daily basis. It is exactly because of that reflection on the experiences in the first period of lockdown that, during the firebreak, all of our special schools remained open. 

The Deputy Presiding Officer (Ann Jones) took the Chair.