§ Mrs. EwingTo ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment what assessment he has made of the 1997 European Directive on Autistic Children; what plans he has for its implementation; what is the estimated cost of its implementation; and if he will make a statement. [36686]
§ Ms Estelle MorrisThere is no Directive on Autistic Children. The European Written Declaration on the Rights of People with Autism was adopted by the European Parliament on 9 May 1996. This called on member states, through appropriate legislation, to enhance the right to accessible and appropriate education. Under the Education Act 1996 schools and local education authorities are under a duty to identify children with special educational needs, including those with autism, and to provide an appropriate education for the individual child which gives him or her access to a broad and balanced curriculum.
§ Mrs. EwingTo ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment what representations he has received on the need for separate secondary education facilities for autistic children; and what proposals he has to ensure that local education authorities provide that provision. [36687]
§ Ms Estelle MorrisSome organisations with an interest in autism have argued that there is a need for more specialist provision at both the primary and secondary 403W phases. The Local Government Association has also discussed with the Department the issues facing local education authorities in providing for children with autism. The Department has consequently funded an urgent review of the research findings on educational programmes for children with autism, preparatory to research the Local Government Association will be commissioning on the comparative outcomes from these programmes. In the light of this work, we will consider what further guidance to offer on how best to meet the needs of children with a broad range of autistic disorders. We shall also be addressing this issue in the context of regional planning for SEN provision.