Question to the Department for Education:

To ask the Secretary of State for Education, what steps he plans to take to improve training and education for teachers on neurodiverse conditions.

The Department is committed to ensuring that all pupils can reach their potential and receive excellent support from their teachers. The Teachers’ Standards set clear expectations that teachers must understand the needs of all pupils, including those with special educational needs and disabilities (SEND), which includes neurodiverse conditions. All trainees who achieve Qualified Teacher Status must demonstrate that they can adapt teaching to respond to the needs of all pupils.

Once teachers qualify and are employed in schools, Head Teachers use their professional judgement to identify any relevant, necessary further training, including specific specialisms.

To support all teachers in meeting these standards, the Department is implementing a golden thread of high-quality teacher training reforms which begins with initial teacher training and continues throughout teachers’ career progression. These reforms are designed to ensure teachers have the skills to support all pupils to succeed, including those with SEND.

In addition, the Universal Services programme will help schools and the further education workforce to identify and meet the needs of children and young people with SEND, including those with autism, earlier and more effectively.