Ms Noeleen Smith:

The summer programme is optional. I know of a local school that did not provide the programme in 2021 but provided it in 2022. To be honest, two weeks out of the whole summer is not enough. Kids with autism need routine. It is a long summer to go from such great routine to nothing all of a sudden. It has a huge impact on them.

Schools rely on teachers to do the July provision and teachers need greater incentive. There needs to be more planning and work done on who does the July provision, what they do and for how long they do it.