Education is a fundamental part of every child's life. But far too many children with autism in England are not getting the education they need and deserve.
Over the last eight months, we have been speaking to children and young people with autism, their parents and carers, about their experiences of education and the proposed changes to the system. What they told us has informed our new campaign, Great Expectations.
Our research found that:
- just half of parents who responded to our survey feel their child is making good educational progress
- 30% of parents feel that their child's educational placement is not adequate
- a quarter of children are not happy at school, and one in five does not feel safe
- 43% of young people feel teachers don't know enough about autism.
Too many parents have to fight the system to make it work:
- 7 out of 10 parents say it has not been easy to to get the educational support their child needs
- 48% of parents say they have waited over a year to get the right support for their child; over a quarter have waited more than two years
- 18% of parents have had to go to tribunal to get the right support for their children. On average, they go to tribunal three to four times each.
What needs to change
An education that sets children up for life and a system that works with, not against, parents.
Children with autism expect:
- to get the support they need quickly and easily, regardless of whether they have a statment or one of the proposed new Education, Health and Social Care Plans (EHCPs)
- teachers who understand how to support them and who have easy access to autism specialists for help.
Parents of children with autism expect:
- to have robust, simple ways to challenge the system if their child doesn't get the support they need
- local authorities to have a thorough understanding of the needs of children with autism in their area, and to plan provision accordingly
- to be equal partners in the system and genuinely involved in decisions about their child's education and the planning of local services
- local information that empowers them to make the right decisions for their child.
We expect the Government to listen and to act.
Let's work together. Let's get it right.
Join our campaign today
The illustration on this page is by a pupil at our Radlett Lodge School
. We asked what they wanted to be when they grew up. Answer: I want to be a musician.