<p>Children with Autism</p>

Part of 1. 1. Questions to the Cabinet Secretary for Education – in the Senedd at 1:35 pm on 8 February 2017.

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Photo of Alun Davies Alun Davies Labour 1:35, 8 February 2017

Thank you very much. I know that the Member takes a very close interest in these issues and has done a considerable amount of work in the area. I think all of us are aware of the Member’s commitment to this agenda. Can I say, in terms of the twenty-first century schools programme, this is a programme that is delivered in partnership with local authorities and the technical guidance does exist with local authorities to ensure that there’s an appropriate learning environment for all schools? This takes consideration of learners and pupils and all their needs, including those with an autistic spectrum disorder.

In addition to this, Estyn will consider the school environment and whether the school is physically able to meet pupils’ needs and whether specialist resources are used well to meet pupils’ needs as well. So, I hope that, through the construction, design and building of a new estate, the technical guidelines deliver the sort of ambition that you’ve described. Then, within the school environment, whenever there is an inspection with Estyn, that school environment will be a part of that inspection and, clearly, if there are areas that need improving, this Government will take action to ensure that it is improved alongside local authorities. But I know that Members across the whole Chamber have raised concerns about these matters, and if there are particular areas of concern in particular schools, I’d be grateful for any Member to write to me and I will certainly take this forward.