The British Government has voiced its support for a campaign to extend the legal entitlement for education to the age of 25 for young people with autism.
Robert Buckland MP: “It is crucial that support at all stages of the education system is significantly improved”
At a meeting of the All-Party Parliamentary Group on Autism (APPGA) John Hayes, MP, Minister of State for Further Education, Skills and Lifelong Learning, confirmed the Government’s commitment to the move.
Currently just one in four young people with autism access any form of education once they have finish school at the age of 16, preventing them from developing their skills, gaining employment and living independently.
Mr Hayes was speaking at a Westminster meeting held in relation to a report and campaign, ‘Finished at School’, by the charity Ambitious about Autism. The campaign calls for a clear legal right to education to the age of 25 for young disabled people, plus a trained workforce in the further education setting to support young people with autism.
The minister pledged to work on recommendations set out in the Ambitious about Autism report. He also signaled an intention to improve provision and support for people with special education needs and, in particular, to improve access to apprenticeships.
Applauded by parents, professionals, people with autism and supportive fellow MPs in attendance, John Hayes said of the campaign: “This is virtuous and will have my support, and by my support I meant the Government’s support.”
Preventing young people with autism from accessing further education is thought to be a major contributory factor towards the £27 billion annual cost of autism per year in the UK. When school finishes many young people with autism enter costly long-term residential settings. They often live alongside much older people and are dependent on benefits and care for the rest of their lives.
The Westminster meeting was chaired by Robert Buckland MP, pictured, who described the campaign as “very important”. He said: “With only one in four people with autism accessing further education and 15 per cent of individuals with autism in employment, it is crucial that support at all stages of the education system is significantly improved to enable young people to reach their potential.”
APPGA, made up from a cross-party group of MPs and peers, has launched a commission to advise the Government on access to the right education for children with autism.
Currently, parents, teachers and young people with autism are invited to give their views about changes they want to see made in schools via an online survey on APPGA’s website. To access the survey go to the following site and press the ‘next’ button at the bottom of the page: https://www.surveymonkey.com/s/JFBVNFM
The consultation closes on 10 February and the views expressed will be used to form recommendations for Government ministers and civil servants at a time when the Government is proposing significant changes to the SEN system in England.
Sarah Teather MP, Minister for Children and Families, said the Government wants to improve services for children with special educational needs, including those with autism.
She said: “I look forward to hearing further views in the commission’s report, which will help us as we develop the reforms and create a system which works for children and their families.”
Published: 27 January 2012
