Question to the Ministry of Justice:

To ask Her Majesty’s Government whether they currently provide training to staff in the criminal justice system who engage with people with autism spectrum disorder; and, if not, whether they have any plans to do so.

In March 2010 the Department of Health published the three year cross-Government strategy, Fulfilling and rewarding lives: the strategy for adults with autism in England. The strategy was updated in April 2014 and the Ministry of Justice is one of the signatories. As a result, a variety of different pieces of online training guidance were published for those delivering public services in order to meet the needs of those with autism. The criminal justice system has benefited from this guidance and training, which continues to be available. The guidance can be accessed at the following web address: https://www.gov.uk/government/news/autism-training-resources

A number of charities have developed guidance on Autism specifically for criminal justice professionals, and, the MoJ provides disability and diversity guidance and training, including on learning disabilities that staff can access.