Question to the Home Office:

To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, what steps she is taking to help ensure that the needs of people with autism are understood and accommodated by police forces.

The College of Policing set the professional standards for police in England and Wales. The College’s core guidance includes the initial training for officers under the Policing Education Qualifications Framework which incorporates autism, learning disabilities, mental health and vulnerabilities. Through this, officers are taught to assess vulnerability and amend their approaches as required.

The National Police Chiefs Council (NPCC) have established a National Neurodiversity Working Group whose work includes supporting police forces to design and deliver a service to be proud of relating to neurodivergent victims, witnesses, suspects, and residents.

Through this working group the NPCC are seeking to pull together examples and knowledge of good practice, to help share thinking to help each autonomous force find solutions to their local challenges.