Autism (Hansard, 28 April 2004)

§ Mrs. Iris Robinson
To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland how many staff are employed in mainstream schools in Northern Ireland specifically to assist with the needs of children with autistic spectrum disorders. [167717]
1120W

§ Mr. Gardiner
I have been advised that the total number of staff employed in mainstream schools in Northern Ireland specifically to assist with the needs of children with autistic spectrum disorders is 596. A detailed breakdown across the school sectors in each Education and Library Board area is set out as follows.

Staff employed in mainstream schools in support of children for whom ASD is a special educational need

Controlled and maintained GMI VGS

BELB ¹79 4 5

NEELB ²69 9 4

SEELB ³130 25 6

SELB ⁴153 19 4

WELB 74 10 5

Total 505 67 24

¹ In addition the BELB has an ASD Advisory Support Service to mainstream schools and also pre-school which includes home visits for very young children. Currently there are two and a half teachers and five classroom assistants employed giving additional support to identified pupils and school staff.

²In addition to the 69 classroom assistants the NEELB has advised that following additional funding from the Department, the board has now a newly appointed ASD team working in support of children with autism. The team consists of a Senior Educational Psychologist and two Assistant Advisory Officers.

³ The SEELB has advised that the 130 staff comprises 126 classroom assistants and four peripatetic teachers.

⁴ Within Learning Support Centres in mainstream schools the SELB advises that there are further staff employed to work with pupils with a variety of special educational needs: while they may not work on a one to one basis with pupils with ASD, they may be providing a degree of support to them. The board also has an Autism Intervention Team which provides specific support on a board wide basis.

§ Mrs. Iris Robinson
To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland (1) what training is provided routinely to parents following the diagnosis of autistic spectrum disorders in children; [167721]
(2) what steps he is taking to assist parents in dealing with behavioural challenges that arise in caring for children and young adults with autistic spectrum disorders; and if he will make a statement. [167727]

§ Angela Smith
The Department for Health, Social Services and Public Safety (DHSSPS) provides funding for PAPA (Parents and Professionals and Autism), which provides training and support for parents.
DHSSPS's Priorities for Action 2004–05 requires Boards and Trusts to enhance diagnostic, assessment and early intervention services for children with autism. An additional £0.5 million has been allocated to Boards for this purpose. The enhanced service will provide additional support for parents following initial diagnosis.
In addition, Health and Social Services Boards provide a range of training and support for parents, following the diagnosis of autistic spectrum disorders in children, through a number of specialist services, including those provided by voluntary organisations.

Staff employed in mainstream schools in support of children for whom ASD is a special educational need
	Controlled and maintained	GMI	VGS
BELB	¹79	4	5
NEELB	²69	9	4
SEELB	³130	25	6
SELB	⁴153	19	4
WELB	74	10	5
Total	505	67	24
¹ In addition the BELB has an ASD Advisory Support Service to mainstream schools and also pre-school which includes home visits for very young children. Currently there are two and a half teachers and five classroom assistants employed giving additional support to identified pupils and school staff.
²In addition to the 69 classroom assistants the NEELB has advised that following additional funding from the Department, the board has now a newly appointed ASD team working in support of children with autism. The team consists of a Senior Educational Psychologist and two Assistant Advisory Officers.
³ The SEELB has advised that the 130 staff comprises 126 classroom assistants and four peripatetic teachers.
⁴ Within Learning Support Centres in mainstream schools the SELB advises that there are further staff employed to work with pupils with a variety of special educational needs: while they may not work on a one to one basis with pupils with ASD, they may be providing a degree of support to them. The board also has an Autism Intervention Team which provides specific support on a board wide basis.