(Bristol East) (Lab)
9. What steps she is taking with the Secretary of State for
Education to help ensure that autistic children receive
appropriate educational support under equalities legislation.
The Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State for Education ()
Education settings are required to make reasonable adjustments
for disabled children, including those with autism, under the
Equality Act 2010. The “SEND code of practice” sets out detailed
guidance on meeting children’s needs. Through the new autism
strategy, published in July, the Government set out our vision to
make life fundamentally better for autistic people by 2026,
including in education.
A recent report from the National Autistic Society said that a
quarter of autistic children can wait more than three years to
receive the extra support they need. Does the Minister agree that
that is an equalities issue? What conversations will he have in
the Department for Education to ensure that schools and councils
get the funding that they need to carry out special educational
needs and disabilities assessments and make the right provision?
As an Education Minister, of course I want every child to fulfil
their potential. I am committed to speaking to and working with
children, families, parents, carers and SEND experts, including
the National Autistic Society, which I met this week as part of a
stakeholder roundtable. I am always happy to listen to the voices
of sector leaders and I would be happy to meet the hon. Lady.
