Education: Special Educational Needs

Baroness Gardner of Parkes Excerpts

Monday 25th June 2012 Lords Chamber

[Baroness Gardner of Parkes]

Is the Minister aware that people training to be dental chairside assistants are allowed to sit the relevant exam only three times? I met one such person recently who has failed the written exam twice and has now discovered that she is dyslexic. She says that to get special assistance she will have to produce many hundreds of pounds, and that if she does not get that assistance and does not pass the exam the next time she will not be allowed to continue in employment although the dentist who employs her is completely satisfied with everything that she has done. She has passed all the other sections of the exam except the written part. What help is available to people like her?

[Lord Hill of Oareford]

I afraid that I am not aware of that case, but perhaps I could have a word with my noble friend afterwards and look into that on her behalf.