Education: Autism

(asked on 2nd February 2024) - View Source

Question to the Department for Education:

To ask the Secretary of State for Education, with reference to the report entitled Outcomes of the review of the initial teacher training core content framework and early career framework, published in January 2024, whether her Department held discussions with autistic people and their families as part of that review.


Answered by
Damian Hinds Portrait
Damian Hinds
Minister of State (Education)
This question was answered on 12th February 2024

The department has reviewed the Initial Teacher Training Core Content Framework alongside the Early Career Framework (ECF) during 2023, in partnership with the Education Endowment Foundation and groups of sector experts, including Special Educational Needs and Disabilities (SEND) specialists. This included a public call for evidence. Following this review, the updated and combined Initial Teacher Training and Early Career Framework (ITTECF) was published on 30 January 2024, for delivery from 2025.

The department’s review of content for the ITTECF paid particular attention to the needs of trainees and Early Career Teachers (ECTs) when supporting pupils with SEND. There is now significantly more content related to adaptive teaching and supporting pupils with SEND, some of which has been adapted from the new National Professional Qualification for Special Educational Needs (SEN) Coordinators to be relevant for trainees and ECTs. The department has also made some edits to existing statements to improve inclusivity for SEND throughout the framework.

Recognising the importance of ensuring trainees and ECTs are confident in supporting pupils with SEND to succeed. The department will also be enhancing the requirements on ECF lead providers when creating SEND exemplification materials.

The ITTECF is based on the best peer-reviewed evidence about what works and is designed to emphasise the importance of high-quality teaching. The framework therefore deliberately does not detail approaches specific to particular additional needs, such as autism, but what makes the most effective teaching. When reviewing the frameworks in 2023, the department tested this approach with SEND educational experts, with the consensus that the approach of ‘quality-first teaching’ would be the best way to improve outcomes for all children, particularly those with SEN.

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