Written question WQ98309
- Asked by
- Mark IsherwoodConservative
- To be answered by
- Cabinet Secretary for Health and Social Care
- Tabled
- Due
- Answered
- Time to answer
- 2 days
Question
Will the Cabinet Secretary confirm when mandatory autism training, equivalent to the Oliver McGowan mandatory training, will be introduced for all NHS and social care staff in Wales?
Answer
Answered by Cabinet Secretary for Health and Social Care
The Welsh Government published the Statutory Code of Practice on the Delivery of Autism Services in September 2021. This includes duties in relation to workforce knowledge and skills.
The National Neurodivergence Team (NNT), which is funded by the Welsh Government, has a comprehensive training framework in place to build a neurodivergence-aware workforce which is confident, competent and supported, promoting evidence-based training and inclusive practices across organisations and disciplines.
The Welsh Government and the NNT work together to raise awareness of neurodivergence and the workforce training available. This includes the NNT’s organisational accreditation award system to encourage participation. Examples of neurodivergence training are available through the NNT, which is structured around progressive flexible learning modules for NHS and social care staff.
We do not intend to make autism training mandatory as research evidence has demonstrated that voluntary engagement in professional learning and enquiry-based learning are the most effective ways to develop practitioners’ knowledge and skills and improve outcomes for neurodivergent individuals.