The department wants to provide all young people with Special Educational Needs and Disabilities (SEND), including those with neurodiverse conditions, with good opportunities which allow them to transition from education into a fulfilling adult life.<\/p>
We know that with the right preparation and support, the overwhelming majority of young people with SEND are capable of sustained, paid employment. All professionals working with them should share that presumption and should provide the career advice and support that help young people to develop the skills and experience, and achieve the qualifications, that they need to succeed in their careers.<\/p>
Further education (FE) providers must use their best endeavours to secure the special educational provision called for by the student\u2019s Special Educational Needs (SEN). In addition, FE providers also have duties and obligations under the Equality Act 2010 to ensure that they are acting inclusively and not discriminating against disabled students. They are obliged to make reasonable adjustments to prevent disabled students being placed at a substantial disadvantage.<\/p>
Furthermore, under the SEND Code of Practice, FE providers should ensure there is a named person with oversight of SEND provision in every FE setting. They are responsible for co-ordinating, supporting and contributing to the strategic and operational management of the setting. Curriculum and support staff in an FE setting should know who to go to if they need help in identifying a student\u2019s SEN, are concerned about their progress, or need more advice.<\/p>
The government expects all higher education (HE) providers to fulfil their responsibilities under the Equality Act 2010 to be making reasonable adjustments for all students, including students with neurodiverse conditions, and disabled HE students, not just those in receipt of Disabled Students\u2019 Allowance (DSA).<\/p>
In terms of funding, DSA is available in addition to the standard support package to help students with the additional costs they may face in HE because of their disability, including long-term health conditions, mental health conditions, or specific learning difficulties such as dyslexia.<\/p>
DSA is not means tested and does not have to be repaid. It is available to full-time and part-time students at undergraduate and postgraduate level, alongside support available from HE providers, and in line with the recommendations of the student\u2019s DSA Needs Assessment. There is no list of approved disabilities: to receive DSA, any student must be eligible for the main support package and disabled in line with the definition contained in the Equality Act 2010.<\/p>
Wherever possible, disabled students and students with neurodiverse conditions should expect to have their needs met through inclusive learning practices and individual reasonable adjustments made by their HE providers.<\/p>"} , "answeringMember" : {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/members/3985", "label" : {"_value" : "Biography information for Robert Halfon"} } , "answeringMemberConstituency" : {"_value" : "Harlow"} , "answeringMemberPrinted" : {"_value" : "Robert Halfon"} , "dateOfAnswer" : {"_value" : "2023-10-23", "_datatype" : "dateTime"} , "isMinisterialCorrection" : {"_value" : "false", "_datatype" : "boolean"} , "questionFirstAnswered" : [{"_value" : "2023-10-23T11:05:24.737Z", "_datatype" : "dateTime"} ]} , "answeringDeptId" : {"_value" : "60"} , "answeringDeptShortName" : {"_value" : "Education"} , "answeringDeptSortName" : {"_value" : "Education"} , "date" : {"_value" : "2023-10-17", "_datatype" : "dateTime"} , "hansardHeading" : {"_value" : "Further Education and Higher Education: Neurodiversity"} , "houseId" : {"_value" : "1"} , "legislature" : [{"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/terms/25259", "prefLabel" : {"_value" : "House of Commons"} } ], "questionText" : "To ask the Secretary of State for Education, whether her Department has published guidance on the recognition of neurodiversity conditions at Further and Higher Education facilities.", "registeredInterest" : {"_value" : "false", "_datatype" : "boolean"} , "tablingMember" : {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/members/4006", "label" : {"_value" : "Biography information for Dr Matthew Offord"} } , "tablingMemberConstituency" : {"_value" : "Hendon"} , "tablingMemberPrinted" : [{"_value" : "Dr Matthew Offord"} ], "uin" : "202966"} , {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/resources/64471", "AnsweringBody" : [{"_value" : "Department for Culture Media and Sport"} ], "answer" : {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/resources/64471/answer", "answerText" : {"_value" : "