Asked by: Paul Kohler (Liberal Democrat - Wimbledon)
Question to the Department for Education:
To ask the Secretary of State for Education, what guidance her Department provides to schools on identifying and supporting pupils with Paediatric Acute-onset Neuropsychiatric Syndrome (PANS) and Paediatric Autoimmune Neuropsychiatric Disorders Associated with Streptococcal Infections (PANDAS); and what assessment she has made of the potential educational impact of these conditions on affected children.
Answered by Georgia Gould - Minister of State (Education)
Schools are not responsible for making clinical judgements. Identifying and diagnosing medical conditions is the responsibility of the NHS. Schools should make referrals into NHS services and engage with the pupil’s family if they have a concern about a child’s health.
Paediatric Acute-onset Neuropsychiatric Syndrome (PANS) and Paediatric Autoimmune Neuropsychiatric Disorders Associated with Streptococcal Infections (PANDAS) are uncommon acute-onset conditions that can cause a sudden deterioration in emotional, cognitive and functional abilities. Symptoms such as abrupt obsessive-compulsive behaviours, tics, restricted eating, severe anxiety, sensory sensitivities and slowed processing can lead to the acute onset of special educational needs, with immediate impact on learning, wellbeing, participation and attendance.
Section 100 of the Children and Families Act 2014 places a duty on maintained schools, academies and pupil referral units to make arrangements for supporting pupils with medical conditions, which would include PANS and PANDAS. Schools should ensure that pupils with medical conditions have full access to education, including school trips and physical education. In doing so, schools must have regard to the department’s ‘Supporting pupils with medical conditions at school’ statutory guidance which is available at: https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/supporting-pupils-at-school-with-medical-conditions--3.
Under the proposed reforms, schools will be expected to identify special educational needs and disabilities through ongoing assessment of barriers to learning and participation, supported by the graduated approach, Individual Support Plans and access to multi-agency expertise.
Asked by: Paul Kohler (Liberal Democrat - Wimbledon)
Question to the Department for Work and Pensions:
To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, what assessment his Department has made of the potential merits of the provision of interview questions in advance as a reasonable adjustment for jobseekers with learning disabilities and autism.
Answered by Andrew Western - Minister of State (Department for Work and Pensions)
DWP recognises that some disabled candidates, including people with learning disabilities and autistic people, may benefit from reasonable adjustments during recruitment and as such promotes practices that support fair and accessible recruitment, including the provision of interview questions in advance, the use of clear language and flexibility in assessment methods where appropriate. DWP's Learning Disabilities Project is also working with employers and specialist organisations to identify barriers to recruitment and develop practical guidance that supports more inclusive employment opportunities for people with learning disabilities.
Asked by: Paul Kohler (Liberal Democrat - Wimbledon)
Question to the Department for Work and Pensions:
To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, what steps his Department is taking to encourage employers to offer paid work trials as an alternative to formal interviews for jobseekers with learning disabilities.
Answered by Diana Johnson - Minister of State (Department of Health and Social Care)
Education and skills are devolved matters, the response outlines the information for England only.
We are transforming the Apprenticeships Levy into a new Growth and Skills Levy in England, giving employers greater flexibility, creating more opportunities for young people, and directly supporting the Industrial Strategy.
In April 2026 we launched the first apprenticeship units focussing on priority sectors including artificial intelligence (AI), digital, construction and engineering. Apprenticeship units are short courses built from the knowledge and skills within existing employer-led occupational apprenticeship standards, ensuring high-quality, targeted training. They target immediate shortages in areas that will drive productivity and growth and will help employers upskill existing employees quickly and flexibly.
We have also reduced the apprenticeship minimum duration to 8 months, where this is appropriate for the role or the apprentice, as we know the previous 12-month minimum duration meant some employers and learners were prevented from accessing apprenticeships.
Additionally, we are also supporting more entry-level opportunities for young people, by introducing new foundation apprenticeships to give young people a route into careers in critical sectors, such as construction and health and social care.
Asked by: Paul Kohler (Liberal Democrat - Wimbledon)
Question to the Department of Health and Social Care:
To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, what assessment his Department has made of the availability of early intervention and treatment pathways for children with Paediatric Acute-onset Neuropsychiatric Syndrome (PANS) and Paediatric Autoimmune Neuropsychiatric Disorders Associated with Streptococcal Infections (PANDAS); and what steps he is taking to improve access to timely diagnosis and treatment.
Answered by Preet Kaur Gill
Paediatric acute-onset neuropsychiatric syndrome (PANS) and paediatric autoimmune neuropsychiatric disorders associated with streptococcal infections (PANDAS) are distressing conditions for children, young people, and their families, and we recognise the challenges that families face.
The Department acknowledges the importance of raising awareness of PANS/PANDAS to improve diagnosis. That is why we welcome the formation of the PANS PANDAS Steering Group which includes representatives from key royal colleges, specialist clinical bodies, and the national charity PANS PANDAS UK. The steering group has already taken action to improve awareness, understanding, and care.
Work is underway to develop the first United Kingdom clinical guidelines for PANS and PANDAS, led by a multidisciplinary group and supported by the Royal College of Paediatrics and Child Health. These guidelines are expected to be published in autumn 2026 and will support more consistent care across the system. Pending publication, the PANS PANDAS Steering Group recommends that clinicians be aware of existing international peer-reviewed guidelines, including the PANS research consortium treatment guidelines, published in 2017, and the clinical guidance for diagnosis and management of PANS in the Nordic Countries, published in 2021.
With the backing of NHS England, a dedicated PANS PANDAS research group is advancing efforts to strengthen the evidence base, including through a nationwide surveillance study, designed to identify the number of children and young people presenting to healthcare professionals with symptoms matching the diagnostic criteria for PANS and PANDAS.
In addition, a cross-sector group is developing practical guidance for local authorities to improve support for children and young people living with PANS and PANDAS. Publication is due later this year, ensuring more consistent access to appropriate educational and social care services.
More widely, healthcare professionals are responsible for ensuring their own clinical knowledge remains up-to-date and for identifying learning needs as part of their continuing professional development. This includes taking account of new research and developments in guidance, such as that produced by the National Institute for Health and Care Excellence, to ensure that they can continue to provide high quality care to all patients.
Asked by: Paul Kohler (Liberal Democrat - Wimbledon)
Question to the Department of Health and Social Care:
To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, what assessment his Department has made of the adequacy of the level of clinical awareness and training on Paediatric Acute-onset Neuropsychiatric Syndrome (PANS) and Paediatric Autoimmune Neuropsychiatric Disorders Associated with Streptococcal Infections (PANDAS) among NHS professionals; and what steps he is taking to reduce variations in diagnosis and care.
Answered by Preet Kaur Gill
Paediatric acute-onset neuropsychiatric syndrome (PANS) and paediatric autoimmune neuropsychiatric disorders associated with streptococcal infections (PANDAS) are distressing conditions for children, young people, and their families, and we recognise the challenges that families face.
The Department acknowledges the importance of raising awareness of PANS/PANDAS to improve diagnosis. That is why we welcome the formation of the PANS PANDAS Steering Group which includes representatives from key royal colleges, specialist clinical bodies, and the national charity PANS PANDAS UK. The steering group has already taken action to improve awareness, understanding, and care.
Work is underway to develop the first United Kingdom clinical guidelines for PANS and PANDAS, led by a multidisciplinary group and supported by the Royal College of Paediatrics and Child Health. These guidelines are expected to be published in autumn 2026 and will support more consistent care across the system. Pending publication, the PANS PANDAS Steering Group recommends that clinicians be aware of existing international peer-reviewed guidelines, including the PANS research consortium treatment guidelines, published in 2017, and the clinical guidance for diagnosis and management of PANS in the Nordic Countries, published in 2021.
With the backing of NHS England, a dedicated PANS PANDAS research group is advancing efforts to strengthen the evidence base, including through a nationwide surveillance study, designed to identify the number of children and young people presenting to healthcare professionals with symptoms matching the diagnostic criteria for PANS and PANDAS.
In addition, a cross-sector group is developing practical guidance for local authorities to improve support for children and young people living with PANS and PANDAS. Publication is due later this year, ensuring more consistent access to appropriate educational and social care services.
More widely, healthcare professionals are responsible for ensuring their own clinical knowledge remains up-to-date and for identifying learning needs as part of their continuing professional development. This includes taking account of new research and developments in guidance, such as that produced by the National Institute for Health and Care Excellence, to ensure that they can continue to provide high quality care to all patients.