Under the Freedom of Information Act, I would like to request the following information regarding care and education for children with special educational needs (SEN).

1. Please could you supply the name, job title, email address and telephone number of the commissioner with responsibility for children's SEN placements.

For questions 2 through 7, please supply the following information for the financial years 2017/18 to 2020/21, and where possible, budgeted figures or the most up to date snapshot available for 2021/22.

2. Please provide the total number of children funded by the local authority with special educational needs (with an EHC plan or statement of SEN/SEND).

3. Of the total number of children with SEN (q.2) please provide the number that are in day placements; in 52 week placements; in 38 week placements.

4. Of the total number of children with SEN (q.2) please provide the number that are looked after children.

5. Of the total number children with SEN (q.2) please provide the number with a special educational need with Autism (ASD); with a Learning Disability: Multiple/Profound; with a Learning Disability: Specific/Moderate; with Behavioral, Emotional and Social Difficulties (sometimes abbreviated BESD or EBD).

6. Of the total number of children with SEN (q.2) please provide the number that are in:

a) School placements inside the local authority boundary, in 'own provision' (operated by the local authority)

b) School placements outside the local authority boundary, in 'own provision' (operated by the local authority)

c) School placements inside the local authority boundary, in 'private provision' (operated by the independent sector)

d) School placements outside the local authority boundary, in 'private provision' (operated by the independent sector)

7. Please provide the Local Authority's total expenditure on SEN placements in Independent Special Schools for each of the financial years 2017/18 to 2020/21, and where possible, budgeted expenditure for 2021/22. If expenditure for 2021/22 is not yet available, please provide projected expenditure.