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<p>The department considers all teachers as teachers of Special Educational Needs
and Disabilities (SEND), including autism, and is committed to ensuring that all pupils
can reach their potential and receive excellent support from their teachers.</p><p>The
Teachers’ Standards set clear expectations that teachers must understand the needs
of all pupils. To be awarded Qualified Teacher Status (QTS), trainees must demonstrate
that they have met all the Teachers’ Standards at the appropriate level. The standards
are also used to assess the performance of all teachers with QTS under the School
Teachers’ Appraisal Regulations (2012). Therefore, most teachers need to adhere to
the standards throughout their careers.</p><p>The Teachers’ Standards require teachers
to adapt teaching to respond to the needs of all pupils, and to have a clear understanding
of the needs of all pupils, including those with special educational needs.</p><p>To
support all teachers in meeting the Teachers’ Standards, the department is implementing
high-quality teacher training reforms which begins with Initial Teacher Training (ITT)
and continues as their careers progress. The department’s Universal Services programme,
backed by almost £12 million, provides SEND-specific training to the school and college
workforce, with over 100,000 professionals undertaking autism awareness training since
2022.</p><p>The department is exploring opportunities to build teacher expertise through
a joint review of the ITT Core Content Framework and Early Career Framework. The review,
due to published in early 2024, has an aim to support trainees and Early Career Teachers
to be more confident in meeting the needs of children and young people with SEND,
including autism, both through engaging with the most up to date evidence to inform
their practice, and applying this in the contexts in which they work as new teachers.</p><p>In
May 2023, the department published guidance for accredited ITT providers and their
partners, to support the involvement of special schools and alternative provision
in ITT. The guidance is available at: <a href="https://assets.publishing.service.gov.uk/government/uploads/system/uploads/attachment_data/file/1157879/ITT_-_special_schools_and_alternative_provision_May_2023.pdf#:~:text=It%20has%20been%20produced%20to%20help%20accredited%20Initial,units%2C%20and%20mainstream%20schools%20with%20SEN%20resource%20units"
target="_blank">https://assets.publishing.service.gov.uk/government/uploads/system/uploads/attachment_data/file/1157879/ITT_-_special_schools_and_alternative_provision_May_2023.pdf#:~:text=It%20has%20been%20produced%20to%20help%20accredited%20Initial,units%2C%20and%20mainstream%20schools%20with%20SEN%20resource%20units</a>.</p><p>The
department’s reforms to teacher recruitment and retention will support all teachers,
including teachers of children with SEND.</p><p> </p>
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