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<p>In the Special Educational Needs and Disabilities (SEND) and Alternative Provision
(AP) improvement plan, the department set out our vision to improve mainstream education
through setting standards for early and accurate identification of needs and timely
access to support to meet those needs, including for autistic and neurodiverse children
and young people. The standards will clarify the types of support that should be ordinarily
available in mainstream settings, who is responsible for securing the support and
from which budgets. The SEND and AP improvement plan can be accessed at: <a href="https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/send-and-alternative-provision-improvement-plan"
target="_blank">https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/send-and-alternative-provision-improvement-plan</a>.</p><p>The
department will also develop new practice guides to support frontline professionals.
The first three practice guides will be published by the end of 2025, focusing on
advice for mainstream settings, and will include a practice guide on autism.</p><p>To
support the needs of pupils with SEND, particularly in mainstream settings where most
of these learners are educated, the department has funded the Universal Services programme.
This programme, backed by almost £12 million, will help the school and further education
workforce to identify and meet the needs of children and young people with SEND, including
those with autism, earlier and more effectively. It will also help them successfully
prepare children and young people for adulthood, including employment. The programme
includes autism awareness training, which over 80,000 professionals have already undertaken.</p><p>Improving
joined-up support is vital. The Department for Education is working closely with the
Department for Health and Social Care on the cross-government Autism Strategy, available
at: <a href="https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/national-strategy-for-autistic-children-young-people-and-adults-2021-to-2026/the-national-strategy-for-autistic-children-young-people-and-adults-2021-to-2026#improving-autistic-children-and-young-peoples-access-to-education-and-supporting-positive-transitions-into-adulthood-1"
target="_blank">https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/national-strategy-for-autistic-children-young-people-and-adults-2021-to-2026/the-national-strategy-for-autistic-children-young-people-and-adults-2021-to-2026#improving-autistic-children-and-young-peoples-access-to-education-and-supporting-positive-transitions-into-adulthood-1</a>.
A key theme of this is improving autistic children and young people’s access to education
and supporting positive transitions into adulthood.</p>
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