Contributions
3,240 recent contributions in Hansard
HANSARDChildren: Bereavement Support in SchoolsMy noble friend is spot on and has probably put the Government’s position rather more eloquently than I have. It is critical that the school creates a culture where children feel…06 Feb 2023HANSARDEducation (Non-religious Philosophical Convictions) Bill [HL]My Lords, I offer my congratulations to the noble Baroness, Lady Burt of Solihull, on securing a Second Reading of her Bill. As we have heard from your Lordships, high-quality…03 Feb 2023HANSARDSecondary Schools: Autistic PupilsMy Lords, we want to give all children and young people, including those with autism, the opportunity to thrive. The SEND and alternative provision Green Paper published last…26 Jan 2023HANSARDVulnerable TeenagersMy Lords, I too express my thanks—and, although I do not come from the north-east, I join the north-east admiration and respect club—to the noble Baroness, Lady Armstrong of Hill…26 Jan 2023HANSARDSecondary Schools: Autistic PupilsI may need to write to the noble Baroness on the specifics of the training, but she is correct that we are supporting those professionals to respond and help identify mental…26 Jan 2023HANSARDSecondary Schools: Autistic PupilsI think I have already said that the implementation plan will be published early this year.26 Jan 2023HANSARDSecondary Schools: Autistic PupilsI have referred to some of the interventions. I talked about the three-year universal training contract in schools and colleges, which began in April last year. We have funded…26 Jan 2023HANSARDSecondary Schools: Autistic PupilsI thank my noble friend for his question. The data he cites underlines the importance of having a truly skilful and expert diagnosis of the full range of issues a young person is…26 Jan 2023HANSARDSecondary Schools: Autistic PupilsThe whole strategic focus of the improvement plan that we will be publishing in response to the SEND and AP Green Paper consultation is to address the problem we see today of late…26 Jan 2023HANSARDSecondary Schools: Autistic PupilsThe noble Lord raises two connected issues. Formal diagnosis of autism in this country needs to be done by a medical professional—a doctor. The noble Lord is absolutely right;…26 Jan 2023HANSARDSecondary Schools: Autistic PupilsI would be grateful if my noble friend could share details of these cases, so that we make sure we understand them properly. The House will be aware that a diagnosis of autism…26 Jan 2023HANSARDSecondary Schools: Autistic PupilsI commend the noble Lord; I know he has worked tirelessly on this extremely important and complex issue of children and adults with autism. I would of course be delighted to go…26 Jan 2023HANSARDSchools: Transgender GuidanceMy Lords, we recognise that issues relating to sex and gender can be complex and sensitive for schools to navigate. That is why we are developing guidance to support schools in…25 Jan 2023HANSARDSchools: Transgender GuidanceThis will be an open, public consultation in the normal way.25 Jan 2023HANSARDSchools: Transgender GuidanceI recognise my noble friend’s concerns on this point. The department remains absolutely committed to sending the letter. He will appreciate that, with various ministerial changes,…25 Jan 2023HANSARDSchools: Transgender GuidanceBy my calculations, it has been only a year and a bit since 2021. More seriously, I say that one of the important elements in our considerations is the work that Dr Cass is doing…25 Jan 2023HANSARDSchools: Transgender GuidanceIf my noble friend or any Member of this House has specific examples, it would be really helpful for them to share these with the department so that we are able to respond.…25 Jan 2023HANSARDSchools: Transgender GuidanceI agree, and I hope I did not give a sense of foot-dragging on the part of the department. What I wanted to share with the House was a sense of how important we see this guidance…25 Jan 2023HANSARDSchools: Transgender GuidanceAs I say, I do not think it is helpful to generalise and talk about imposition of pronouns. We will address these issues in our guidance, and will draw on the widest range of…25 Jan 2023HANSARDSchools: Transgender GuidanceWe absolutely want our policies to be sensitive, and we need them to be practical, clear and trusted. The noble Baroness quoted one element of Dr Cass’s report, but I did not hear…25 Jan 2023