The Welsh Assembly Government is undertaking a statutory review of the provision for children and young people with special educational needs (SEN) in Wales.
Following widespread preliminary consultations, in which The National Autistic Society (NAS) Cymru participated, the Government has launched four pilot schemes which will seek to propose models of future provision for children and young people with both non-complex and severe and complex needs. The pilot schemes will run for three years. They will also seek to redefine the role of Special Educational Needs Coordinators (SENCOs) and produce an Inclusion Quality Award for schools to work toward to promote good provision for people with additional learning needs.
What we’re doing
NAS Cymru is working to ensure that the Welsh Assembly Government and Assembly Members understand the complexity of autism. We are also working to ensure that the needs of children and young people with autism are addressed appropriately in the reform of provision for children and young people with additional learning needs. We have submitted a paper with 33 recommendations to the Welsh Assembly Government to be considered alongside the pilot schemes.
NAS Cymru is part of a group of voluntary sector organisations with an interest in the reforms that are taking place in education. The group was set up at the suggestion of the Welsh Assembly Government and will be fully engaged with the developments in the reforms, representing the views and concerns of our members at every stage.
NAS Cymru is seeking meetings with the lead officers on the pilot schemes to ensure that they work for children and young people with autism.