My son, like many children across our nation, has autism. Despite the best efforts of teachers and teaching assistants to accommodate his needs, it's clear that their understanding is not at the level it should be. They rely heavily on SENCO support, but this isn't enough for day-to-day interactions. As someone who works in adult social care and sees the benefits of The Oliver McGowan Learning Disability and Autism training firsthand, I can't help but question why such training isn't compulsory for teachers.

Special Education Needs (SEN) children require a unique approach to education - one that understands their individual needs and adapts accordingly. However, without proper training, how can we expect our educators to provide this? According to a 2019 report by the National Education Union (NEU), 81% of teachers felt they hadn’t received sufficient training in how to teach autistic students.

Therefore, we are calling upon our government and educational authorities to mandate Special Education Needs Training for all teachers. This will ensure that every child receives an education tailored specifically towards their needs - because every child deserves an equal chance at success.

Please sign this petition if you believe in a more inclusive educational system where all children are given equal opportunities regardless of their individual challenges or differences.