Question to the Department for Education:

To ask His Majesty's Government what plans they have to ensure further education colleges place autistic students on the most suitable courses for them.

The special educational needs and disabilities (SEND) code of practice emphasises the importance of supporting young people with SEND to make a successful transition into further education (FE). Planning should begin early and involve the young person, their family, schools, colleges and local authorities. The focus is on helping learners access and progress within FE by identifying their aspirations and ensuring appropriate support and reasonable adjustments are in place.

The government's 2026 SEND reform proposals aim to further strengthen pathways into FE, working with schools, colleges and local authorities to design and implement a clear approach to supporting the transition from school to college. This will allow colleges to create bespoke or cohort-based transition packages for students with SEND that begin at least 12 months in advance. In doing so, they will ensure young people can choose a suitable study programme and are supported from day one in FE.