National Neurodivergent Task Force Parent Carer Workshop January 2025

26/02/2025

As part of the Government's response to improving the experience of SEND pupils in mainstream schools they have established a National Neurodivergent Task Force. 

The Government has defined the term Neurodivergent as;

‘Neurodivergent is a term that describes a group of people whose ways of processing information, behaving, and experiencing their environment differ from the statistical majority.’

The purpose of the Task Force is stated as;

To make recommendations to DfE ministers on the best ways to support and meet the needs of neurodivergent children and young people in mainstream settings.

The group will consider:

• how classroom practices and wider approaches could better meet neurodivergent children and young people’s needs
• the presentation of overlapping and co-occurring needs (when different conditions occur together or have similar types of need) and how to support these
• the types of support that should not depend on a diagnosis
• provide a shared understanding about what provision and support should look like, informing classroom practices and wider approaches
• best practice regarding the commissioning of support services across education and health
• how to effectively deliver educational support for neurodivergent children and young people locally, regionally and nationally; and how that support can properly consider long-term ability to be successful and independent in future life as well as short-term support and adjustments

In January 2025 Sarah Thomas, as a PACC representative, participated in a Parent Carer workshop hosted by the Council for Disabled Children (CDC) on behalf of the Neurodivergent Task Force. The workshop discussion focused on two main questions

1. What are your experiences of education for your neurodivergent child/young person. What has worked / not worked?
2. What are your ideas for change to make education more inclusive for neurodivergent children and young people. What changes are the most important?

It was an interesting discussion and much of what was raised echoed the feedback from Shropshire parent carers received by PACC recently, particularly through the Parent Carer groups hosted by PACC as part of the Partnership for Inclusion in Schools (PINS) project.  Sarah was able to share the thoughts and experiences of Shropshire Parent Carers to inform this national work. 

The Council For Disabled Children have provided a summary of the workshop’s key findings key themes on ideas for change.  You can read this summary here

If you want to provide any further feedback on how the school experience of neurodivergent children and young people can be improved please complete the PACC feedback form.