AS a representative of many parents of children with Asperger's syndrome and autism in Lancashire we should like to echo the concerns of the union representative (LET, May 31) "Job loss shock for teachers."
Many schools, regardless of size, are concerned as to how they will support children with autism once funds for special educational needs (SEN) are delegated to them from September.
The education authority will be retaining a small number of specialist teachers in autism to offer 'advice' to schools, the quantity and calibre of which is unknown. However, there are a burgeoning number of children with autism and yet services continue to reduce.
After the scandal of Scotforth House, we parents were promised better for our very vulnerable children, but little has happened.
The government's directive on delegated funding places undue pressure on schools to find specialist teachers -- but where will such staff come from?
Lancashire is to retain a small team of specialist autism teachers, to offer 'advice' -- no actual teaching input -- as far as we understand.
The education authority has a statutory obligation to ensure the assessed needs of children are met and yet they appear to have taken scant regard of this with their push to delegate.
Many education authorities across the country are setting up specialist mainstream provision for children with Asperger's syndrome, whereas Lancashire appears to believe that such children can function in mainstream with only 'advice' from a small number of teachers stretched across the county's 650 or so schools.
Without support, some children will undoubtedly suffer. We can only hope that the situation will not lead to any serious incidents, for which we would hold the education authority responsible.
JANICE PAYNE (committee member Action for ASD -- Autistic Spectrum Disorders -- Support In Lancashire) Burnley Road, Crawshawbooth.
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