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PE1870: Ensure teachers of autistic pupils are appropriately qualified

Petition summary

Calling on the Scottish Parliament to urge the Scottish Government to introduce legislation requiring teachers of autistic pupils to be appropriately qualified to improve educational outcomes.

Petitioner: Edward Fowler

Status: Closed

Date published: 24 May 2021

Click here for the full petition

SPICe briefing (142KB, pdf) posted 16 August 2021

Committee Meeting

22 September 2021: The Committee agreed to write to the Scottish Government. The Committee also agreed to write to Children in Scotland, the General Teaching Council for Scotland, the National Autistic Society Scotland, Scottish Autism and the Scottish Council of Deans of Education.

Official Report of Meeting 1 September 2021

1 December 2021: The Committee agreed to write to teaching unions.

Official Report of Meeting 1 December 2021

9 March 2022: The Committee agreed to write to the Scottish Government.

Official Report of Meeting 9 March 2022

28 September 2022: The Committee agreed to close the petition under Rule 15.7 of Standing Orders, on the basis that: the Scottish Government does not consider that legislation is required at this point in time to ensure that teachers of autistic pupils are appropriately qualified; stakeholders raised concerns about adding additional requirements into the Initial Teacher Education due to existing pressures on student teachers; Scottish Government work on improving education for pupils with autism is ongoing and the Committee has given its full consideration of this petition. In closing the petition, the Committee agreed to write to the Education, Children and Young People Committee to highlight the evidence it has received in response to this petition in advance of its proposed inquiry into Additional Support Needs.

Official Report of Meeting 28 September 2022