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<p>The department wants every autistic young person to reach their potential and feel
heard at every stage of their life, no matter where they live. That is why, in its
first year alone, the department is investing £74 million into our cross-government
National Autism Strategy to promote a straightforward route to diagnosis, the correct
support, increasing understanding and improving access to a quality education and
social care.</p><p>In total, £600,000 of this funding has gone towards the department’s
contract with the Autism Education Trust (AET) for the 2021/22 academic year. The
department has funded the AET since 2011 to deliver autism awareness training to education
staff in early years, schools, and further education settings. As the funding is to
provide national coverage across the country, rather than specific allocations to
regions or local authorities, the department does not have the exact figure for Enfield.
However, it has so far reached more than 305,000 people across the country. As well
as teachers and teaching assistants, this includes support staff such as receptionists,
dining hall staff and caretakers, encouraging a 'whole school' approach to supporting
autistic pupils.</p><p>In addition to our existing commitments, the department is
determined to ensure that the special educational needs and disabilities (SEND) system
works more effectively for those children who need extra support, including autistic
children. That is why the department is completing the SEND Review, to improve outcomes
and build a sustainable SEND system, where there is clear accountability.</p>
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