The National Assembly for Wales’ Enterprise and Learning Committee s conducting a short inquiry to examine specialist provision for young people with autism in further education.

The Committee is considering:

• The transitional arrangements between school and college for young people with Autistic Spectrum Disorders (ASD): are they timely and are all the key organisations, the young people and their representatives involved effectively?
• Support within colleges and identifying gaps in provision.
• Funding of specific posts to support learners with ASD and need for awareness of ASD training for teaching and non-teaching staff in colleges.
• Funding for additional support for learners with autism in further education colleges.
• Funding for places in specialist colleges in Wales and in England.
• The roles of local authorities.
• The potential opportunities provided by the 14-19 Learning Pathways programme which aims to ensure that all young people receive learning provision that is tailored to their individual needs and aspirations.
• Support within colleges for the development of social and life skills for those with ASD, particularly Asperger Syndrome.
• Transport for young people with autism attending further education.

The Committee would welcome submissions of written evidence, which should be sent to Enterprise.learning.comm@Wales.gsi.gov.uk no later than Thursday, 11 February 2010.