Autism in Schools Short-Life Working Group: action plan
Action plan and next steps for the Autism in Schools Short-Life Working Group.
The action plan was developed collaboratively between all members of the Autism in Schools Short-Life Working Group. The actions are divided into four sections based on the original asks of the Deputy First Minister.
- to ensure a common baseline of content on autism during the delivery of ITE programmes
- more distillation of inclusive pedagogical work to ensure a deeper understanding within the system
- wider sharing of quality practice by Education Scotland, local authorities, professional associations, autism organisation and others and evidence of good standards
- how we ensure a continuum of support for ongoing professional practice and development
An implementation group will be formed of Short-Life Working Group members to help co-ordinate activities and ensure the work in the action plan is taken forward. A progress report will be produced and reported to the Deputy First Minister.
Areas for action
1. To ensure a common baseline of content on autism for use in the delivery of all Initial Teacher Education (ITE) programmes
Current practice in place
Current focus within Initial Teacher Education is based on inclusive pedagogy relative to additional support needs rather than condition specific content. This approach is supported through the current GTCS Accreditation Framework for ITE Programmes and the existing General Teaching Council for Scotland (GTCS) Professional Standards for Teachers.
1.1 Action
Sub-Group to progress co-creation of resources to aid greater standardisation of content on Autism across all ITE programmes.
Delivered by
- National Autism Implementation Team (NAIT)
- National Autistic Society
- Scottish Autism
- AMASE (Autistic Mutual Aid Society Edinburgh)
- Scottish Government
- Education Scotland
- Association of Directors of Education Scotland (ADES)
- Association of Support for Learning Officers (ASLO)
- Scottish Council of Deans of Education
- General Teaching Council for Scotland (GTCS)
Timescale for delivery
February 2021
1.2 Action
Sub-Group to plan delivery of a launch event aimed at ITE course directors and LA representatives to ensure awareness and understanding of and engagement in the delivery of these resources aimed at establishing a common baseline of ITE programme content on autism.
Delivered by
- National Autism Implementation Team (NAIT)
- National Autistic Society
- Scottish Autism
- AMASE (Autistic Mutual Aid Society Edinburgh)
- Scottish Government
- Education Scotland
- Association of Directors of Education Scotland (ADES)
- Association of Support for Learning Officers (ASLO)
- Scottish Council of Deans of Education
- General Teaching Council for Scotland (GTCS)
Timescale for delivery
June 2020
1.3 Action
GTCS to revise their current Accreditation Framework for ITE Programmes and Professional Standards documents to ensure specific reference is made to Autism, along with other co-occurring neuro-developmental differences.
Delivered by
- Scottish Council of Deans of Education
- General Teaching Council for Scotland (GTCS)
Timescale for delivery
June 2020
1.4 Action
General Teaching Council for Scotland (GTCS) and sub-group to co-create autism-specific guidance to accompany the revised Professional Standards due for publication in early 2021. This guidance to form part of the second tranche of Professional Guides designed to support and enhance teacher professionalism, with publication by 2021. GTCS Autism Professional Guide to be published 19 November 2020 to align with publication of its Teaching Scotland magazine which focuses on Additional Support Needs (ASN) and Additional Support for Learning (ASL)
Delivered by
- National Autism Implementation Team (NAIT)
- National Autistic Society
- Scottish Autism
- AMASE (Autistic Mutual Aid Society Edinburgh)
- Scottish Government
- Association of Directors of Education Scotland (ADES)
- Association of Support for Learning Officers (ASLO)
- Scottish Council of Deans of Education
- General Teaching Council for Scotland
Timescale for delivery
November 2020
2. More distillation of inclusive pedagogical work to ensure a deeper understanding within the system
Current practice in place
National Framework for Inclusion has been designed to ensure that all students and teachers are appropriately guided and supported from the outset and throughout their careers towards gaining the required knowledge and understanding of inclusive education
Action
Education Scotland and Scottish Universities Inclusion Group to develop practical examples and strategies to support the inclusion of autistic children and learners in ELC and schools. These should be set out on the National Improvement Hub.
Delivered by
- Education Scotland
- University of Edinburgh
Timescale for delivery
June 2021
3. Wider sharing of quality practice by Education Scotland, local authorities, professional associations, autism organisation and others and evidence of good standards
Current practice in place
Education Scotland have established the National Improvement Hub, which is aimed at supporting practitioners.
Autism toolbox has a working group, and this provides a forum for disseminating good practice.
3.1 Action
The online module ‘Inclusion Practice -The CIRCLE Framework: Secondary’. The original research, practice and resource was shared by City of Edinburgh Council, Queen Margaret University and NHS Lothian.
Delivered by
Education Scotland
Timescale for delivery
July 2019
3.2 Action
Education Scotland Audit of local authority strategies and approaches to supporting pupils with autism – Most commonly used approaches will be presented on the Autism Toolbox and the National Improvement Hub.
Autism Summary of Evidence for Effective Interventions. November 2019
Summary: Local Authority Autism Professional Learning November 2019
Delivered by
Education Scotland
Timescale for delivery
September 2019
3.3 Action
Establishment of Autism Toolbox Working Group to support the development and launch of the Refreshed Autism Toolbox. Focus is to share practice and develop updated information, guidance and resources set within the Scottish Context.
Delivered by
Timescale for delivery
November 2019
3.4 Action
The online module ‘Inclusion Practice -The CIRCLE Framework: Primary The original research, practice and resource was shared by City of Edinburgh Council, Queen Margaret University and NHS Lothian.
Delivered by
Education Scotland
Timescale for delivery
December 2000
4. How we ensure a continuum of support for ongoing professional practice and development
Current practice in place
Autism Toolbox has been in place as the main practitioner resource for those working with autistic children and learners in Early Learning and Childcare (ELC) settings and schools. The refresh has updated information, guidance and professional learning.
ES developed an Inclusion Module, which is aimed at practitioners within schools.
ES continues to develop free online professional learning for inclusion to support practitioners.
The Strategic Board for Education is looking at early phase of a teacher’s career, and focusing on what additional support practitioners require at this early stage
4.1 Action
Draw actions under 1 and 2 together into a framework to create a continuum of support for both trainee teachers and already established teaching staff.
Delivered by
- The Scottish Government
- Education Scotland
Timescale for delivery
June 2020 – To be updated in light of other completion dates above
4.2. Action
Engagement – Publish the continuum and engage with senior education leaders, including Regional Improvement Collaboratives (RICs).
Delivered by
- The Scottish Government
- Education Scotland
Timescale for delivery
June 2020 – To be updated in light of other completion dates above
4.3. Action
Values based statement (Aspirational Statement) to be further refined to reflect the actions taken to deliver the continuum of support
Delivered by
The Scottish Government
Timescale for delivery
January 2121
4.4 Action
Development of the online module ‘Introduction to Autism and Inclusive Practice
Delivered By
- Education Scotland
- Autism Toolbox Working Group
Timescale for delivery
June 2020 – To be updated in light of other completion dates above
4.5 Action
The Autism Toolbox Working Group will continue to support the ongoing development of the refreshed Autism Toolbox to support ongoing professional learning for practitioners.
Delivered by
- Education Scotland
- Autism Toolbox Working Group
Timescale for delivery
Ongoing
4.6 Action
Engagement with partners to support a consistent approach across ELC, schools, local authorities and Regional Improvement Collaboratives.
Current practice in place
Development of a strategic approach to support planning and delivery of professional learning.
Delivered by
- Education Scotland
- National Autism Implementation Team
- NHS Education
- The Scottish Government
- Autism Toolbox Working Group
Timescale for delivery
June 2020 – to be updated
5. Community of practice
Current practice in place
Education Scotland already host a range of range of resources and information on the National Improvement Hub.
Action
Actions under 3 and 4 will be drawn into the National Improvement Hub to ensure teachers and support staff have the most up to date information to enable them to support pupils with autism. This will include the newly refreshed autism toolbox.
Inclusion leads within each Regional Improvement Collaborative as well as the Link Officer Network will support the delivery and sharing of the resources and information. They will also support local training needs as part of a national continuum of support
Delivered by
Education Scotland
Timescale for delivery
Ongoing to ensure resources, information and training are up to date and relevant.
6. Assurance mechanism
Action
An Implementation Group will be formed to help co-ordinate activities and ensure the work in the action plan is taken forward. Membership of the Implementation Group will be formed from current working group members. A progress report will be produced and reported to Deputy First Minister 1 year after the action plan is published.
Delivered by
Scottish Government
Timescale for delivery
Implementation group established following publication of action plan. Progress report published 1 year after publication of action plan.
There is a problem
Thanks for your feedback