Question to the Department for Education:

To ask the Secretary of State for Education, whether she has made a recent assessment of the potential merits of introducing the Oliver McGowan mandatory training on learning disability and autism in education settings.

The government aims to support all pupils with special education need and disabilities (SEND), including with autism, to achieve and thrive at school. High quality teaching and support is the single most important in-school factor in improving outcomes for pupils, including those with autism or other SEND.

While the department recognises the value of Oliver McGowan training, this training was developed for health and social care staff.

Within education settings, school staff can access a range of training as appropriate to their career stage. Training to support pupils with autism includes information on when to draw on the expertise of health and social care professionals.

Headteachers should also use their professional judgement to identify any further training for teaching staff they employ. This may include the Oliver McGowan Mandatory Training and specific specialisms for individual staff when that is relevant to them, the school and its pupils. This can also include the Universal Services (US) Programme.

The US programme brings together SEND-specific continuous professional development and support for the school and further education workforce. The programme aims to improve outcomes for children and young people, including those with autism, and aims to reach 70% of schools and colleges in England per year. The contract offers autism awareness training and resources. Over 185,000 professionals have received autism training from an Autism Education Trust training partner since the US programme launched in May 2022.