14 July 2010
Improved provision agreed for learners with autism
The Welsh Assembly Government and ColegauCymru have accepted recommendations made by an Assembly committee to improve provision for young people with autism in further education. One of the committee's 19 recommendations was directed at ColegauCymru and, in advance of an Assembly debate in the Senedd today, ColegauCymru is pleased to report that the recommendation is already being actioned.
The Assembly's Enterprise and Learning Committee inquiry into specialist provision for young people with autism in further education found that the information requested from education providers was not consistent across sectors and that the ease of transition from one type of education provider to another, such as from a school to a college, varied between local authorities. ColegauCymru is pleased that the Welsh Assembly Government has accepted recommendations to improve the consistency of provision by investing in trained officers across local authorities so that all areas of Wales can match the good practice already identified in some areas. A coherent process for funding transition is also expected to be proposed by the Welsh Assembly Government-convened Task and Finish Group, which should help smooth the transition process.
A further recommendation made by the Assembly committee was to improve the understanding of autism among not only support staff but also among the general student population. ColegauCymru is pleased to report that it has already started working with the sector skills council for further education, Lifelong Learning UK (LLUK), to map colleges' training needs, and is in discussions with Autism Cymru to consider how best to meet colleges' training needs and to enable the sharing of best practice between all colleges.
Katy Burns, the coordinator of ColegauCymru’s network for managers of learners with learning difficulties and/or disabilities said: "ColegauCymru was pleased to be invited to give evidence to the Assembly's inquiry on autism in further education. There is good practice in place in some areas of Wales, but it is not universal. The inquiry helped to identify the work that needs to be done to achieve good practice across all of Wales for the benefit of young people with autism and their families. ColegauCymru has listened carefully to the Assembly committee's recommendations and is already taking steps to improve provision where it can, with the support of further education colleges across Wales. It is very good news that the Welsh Assembly Government has also accepted a range of recommendations that will contribute to improved provision for learners with autism, in particular in the transition process between school and college, which is a notably difficult period for people with autism".
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Contact: Sylvia Davies on 029 2052 8384 or 07968 771913.
Notes to editors:
1. ColegauCymru / CollegesWales is the new name for fforwm. It is a national educational charity that represents all 23 further education (FE) colleges and institutions in Wales. Its mission is to raise the profile of further education with key decision-makers to improve opportunities for learners in Wales. For further information about ColegauCymru CollegesWales, and the colleges it represents, visit www.colegaucymru.ac.uk
2. The Written Reponse by the Welsh Assembly Government to the Enterprise & Learning Committee Report of their Inquiry into Specialist Provision for Young People with Autism in Further Education is available from: http://bit.ly/cpeFn2