Stop cuts to Derby’s Specialist Teaching Service

Derby City Council are planning a £220,000 cut in its specialist teaching service, which will almost exclusively affect its support for autistic children. At a time when autistic children are finding support difficult to come by, this is a massive blow to their education and their families, who are left to pick up the pieces. This cut represents a 25% loss in capacity, and must be stopped.

We know that autistic children are three times more likely to be excluded than children without special needs. We know that school can be overwhelming and teaching staff often rely on training so that autistic pupils can flourish in their classrooms.

The Government recognises that more needs to be done to support autistic children, in the classroom and out, and is including children and young people in their national autism strategy, released in November 2019. Instead of listening with open ears to what needs to change, Derby City Council are instead cutting jobs.

Show Derby City Council that they must not make these cuts, and they must act to ensure they create an education system that works for autistic children and families.