Sarah McCarthy-Fry, Minister for Schools and Learning, highlights need for more joined-up autism services at first Autism Education Trust National Conference
02/03/09
The Autism Education Trust (AET) held its first National Conference, ‘Sharing Good Practice’, at Central Hall in Westminster, London on Thursday 26th February 2009. Sarah McCarthy-Fry, Minister for Schools and Learning gave the keynote address and spoke about the Government’s ambitions for improving autism education provision across England through better collaboration and information sharing.
Sarah McCarthy-Fry said;
“The Autism Education Trust is developing into a valued critical friend; crucial in the work that they do, and working at the heart of the sector to draw together the views and concerns of our partners, and those working with children and young people on the autism spectrum.
The work of the Trust is absolutely vital to achieving our aspirations for a world class education, with high quality children’s services, making this country the best place to grow up for every child, including those on the autism spectrum, not just the fortunate few. Those ambitions are something I feel extremely passionate about, and are the driving force behind everything we do in the Department for Children, Schools and Families.
A measure of a good society is how well it cares for those who need the most help. My aspiration is for this country to be the best place in the world for children and young people to grow up. Our efforts have to double for those children who, for whatever reason, need extra support to achieve all they are capable of.”
The one day conference brought together a mix of people working in the autism education sector, the schools workforce, local authority representatives, health professionals, adults and young people with autism and their parents and carers. The event was a chance for people to share experiences and good practice and learn more about the work of the AET.
Bob Lowndes, Chair of the AET Steering Group, said;
“We hope events like today will offer a platform for the identification and dissemination of good teaching practice for children on the autism spectrum and also inform the commissioning of children’s services in local areas.”
Further speakers at the event included Dr Glenys Jones from the Autism Centre for Education and Research at the University of Birmingham. Dr Jones discussed the recent research undertaken by her team on behalf of the AET which reviews current practice, issues and challenges facing professionals, parents and children and young people on the autism spectrum across England.
A highlight of the day was Dean Beadle, a young person on the autism spectrum, who spoke eloquently about his experiences of education, both positive and negative within the mainstream school system. He said;
“If we can encourage children to view their differences in positive ways, and if the right educational support can be given to a child on the autism spectrum, I believe any child can find success in education.”
Following the success of this National Conference, the AET is running a series of ‘Roadshow’ events across England during March, April and May. The six events will mirror the National Conference and in addition will address some of the more local issues in each area. For full details of these roadshow events and to book tickets visit our
website to download a booking form or contact T: 0115 9113367 F: 0115 9113362 E:
conference@nas.org.uk. Places for these events are free but limited and must be booked in advance.
The Autism Education Trust (AET) is England’s only umbrella organisation for autism education and is funded by the Department for Children, Schools and Families (DCSF). Its work is currently supported by over 25 voluntary, statutory and community groups who contribute to the work of the AET through its Steering Group and Advisory Council membership.
To find out more about the work of the AET, visit our
website or call 07795 667749.
ENDS
For further information, photographs from the launch, or to arrange an interview please contact:
Romany Simon: 07793 403107
romanysimon@gmail.com Notes to Editors
Autism Education Trust Regional Roadshow programme 2009:
• Wed 11th March - Liverpool
• Tues 17th March - Carlisle
• Tues 21st April - Derby
• Thurs 23rd April - Norwich
• Tues 28th April - Southampton
• Thurs 7th May - Exeter
About the AET
The AET was launched in the Houses of Parliament in November 2007, and is dedicated to improving the educational experience of the estimated 106,000 children with autism in the UK. The AET believes that all children and young people with autism should receive an education which enables them to reach their individual potential to engage in society as active citizens (and that individuals, families and professionals are informed, supported and equipped to enable this to be achieved). For further information please visit our
website.
About the Inclusion Development Programme
In late autumn 2007, the National Strategies launched the Inclusion Development Programme (IDP). Over four years, the IDP will develop and deliver a programme of continuing professional development designed to strengthen the confidence and expertise of mainstream staff in early years settings and in primary and secondary schools in ensuring the progress and achievement of pupils with special educational needs.
In 2008, the IDP focused on dyslexia and speech, language and communication needs. In 2009, the focus will be on supporting pupils on the autism spectrum.
For more information on the IDP visit Inclusion Development Programme
Autism and Education: the facts
• An estimated 1% of children and young people in England are on the autism spectrum.
• Over 47,000 pupils in state-funded schools who have significant special educational needs (SEN) (i.e. supported through a statement or at School Action Plus) in England have autism as their primary need. 70% of these pupils are in mainstream schools .
• Pupils with Statements of Special Educational Need (SEN) are over three times more likely to be permanently excluded from school than the rest of the school population. The 2006 National Autistic Society’s ‘make school make sense’ campaign found 1 in 5 children in the sample had been excluded from school (67% of these had been excluded more than once).
• 40% of children on the autism spectrum have been bullied and children on the autism spectrum are three times more likely to develop mental health problems than the rest of the population.
• Substantial public funds are invested in the education of children and young people on the autism spectrum. (The estimated annual cost of autism to the UK economy is £28 billion .) It is important that these funds are used wisely and have maximum impact. Policy makers and service commissioners require independent and good quality information and advice.