Question to the Department for Education:

To ask the Secretary of State for Education, what steps her Department is taking to support specialist schools in improving the transition for neurodivergent pupils into the workplace.

Supporting neurodivergent pupils into the workplace is important for all schools, including specialist schools.

As set out in the SEND Code of Practice, all children and young people with special educational needs and disabilities (SEND) should be prepared for adulthood (PfA). This means being prepared in the following four areas:

• Higher education and/or employment.
• Independent living.
• Participating in society.
• Health.

For those with an education, health and care (EHC) plan, the annual review of the plan from year 9 onwards must include a focus on PfA.

The Gatsby Benchmarks are a framework for delivering high quality careers guidance in schools and colleges. For SEND learners, the benchmarks apply equally, but with adaptations to meet individual needs. Where a learner has an active EHC plan, careers guidance is provided up to age 25.

The department has supported the Department for Work and Pensions in developing the use of Adjustment Planners for higher education (HE) students. An Adjustments Planner provides a useful tool to support learners to progress in HE, take up work during term time or move into employment by enabling them to plan for the future. The department is considering how the use of the planner can be widened for more learners.