Responding to the government's announcement that its Best Start Family Hubs will offer children early support with special educational needs, Paul Whiteman, general secretary of school leaders' union NAHT, said:

"We warmly welcome the commitment to providing this vital support with SEND as part of the roll-out of family hubs.

“Support services and Sure Start centres were decimated over the last decade and we have heard of more children starting school with additional needs in recent years, with increasing reports of speech and language difficulties.

"Early intervention is not just good for children and families – it is essential for our education system. When children arrive at school ready to learn, with their needs identified and supported, schools can focus on helping them thrive.

“It will be important that this provision comes with sufficient additional funding and is followed by investment and reform in the wider SEND system so that not only schools, but also social care and health services can play their part in ensuring all pupils get the right help for as long as they need it.”