Written question asked by Lord Jackson of Peterborough (Conservative) on Tuesday, 8 December 2009, in the House of Commons. It was due for an answer on Tuesday, 15 December 2009. It was answered by Lord Coaker (Labour) on Tuesday, 15 December 2009 on behalf of the Department for Children, Schools and Families.

Teachers: Training

Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Children, Schools and Families what provision is made in the training of teachers to enable them to recognise and support children with Tourette syndrome.

Answer: Government have invested significant resources in relation to improving training for the school work force in relation to special educational needs. For teachers this includes training resources at both undergraduate and postgraduate level which include elements addressing Behavioural, Emotional and Social Difficulties, which encompasses Tourette Syndrome. The resources have been made available to all Initial Teacher Trainers and support is being provided to enable them to work together to share and improve their practice in this important area.Furthermore, the national strategies have been funded by DCSF to develop and roll out an Inclusion Development Programme which will deliver specially designed training resources for the school work force that address areas of SEN that we know some find difficult—the third phase of this covers Behavioural, Emotional and Social Difficulties (BESD) and is due to be launched in March 2010.

Secondary information