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Speech and Language Disorders: Health Services

Asked by Alison GriffithsConservativeDepartment of Health and Social CareTabled Answered 8 September 2026UIN 24476

The question

To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, what steps she is taking with the Secretary of State for Education to establish a national evidence-based pathway for selective mutism that specifies (a) lead commissioning responsibility, (b) referral routes, (c) the respective responsibilities of speech and language therapy, children and young people’s mental health services, educational psychology services and education settings, (d) access criteria and (e) expected timescales for assessment and intervention; and if she will make it her policy for NHS England to publish a national service specification and commissioning framework for that pathway.

Answered by Department of Health and Social Care

The Department of Health and Social Care has indicated that it will not be possible to answer this question within the usual time period. An answer is being prepared and will be provided as soon as it is available.

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