Dame Caroline Dinenage Demands Better SEND Training for Teachers
Dame Caroline Dinenage, MP for Gosport, has called for urgent improvements in SEND training for mainstream school teachers. Speaking in a high-profile Westminster Hall debate, she urged Education Minister Catherine McKinnell to roll out the Oliver McGowan Mandatory Training across schools.
Oliver McGowan Training: A Game Changer
The Oliver McGowan Training, recognised with an NHS Parliamentary Award nomination for Excellence in Education and Training, equips staff to better support autistic pupils and those with learning disabilities. Delivered by autistic and learning-disabled trainers themselves, the course boosts confidence and communication skills.
“87% of health and care staff say it has improved how they work with autistic patients,” Dame Caroline noted, pushing for similar success in education.
Spotting Autism Early Could Stop Kids Missing School
Dame Caroline warned that rising rates of persistent absence among autistic children must be tackled. Early identification and specialised teaching are key. She told the debate:
“Parents in Gosport, Lee on the Solent, Stubbington, and Hill Head want the best for their SEND children. But there aren’t enough places, and mainstream teachers often lack the skills to meet their needs.”
VAT Hike Threatens Specialised Education
Caroline slammed Labour’s planned VAT increase on independent schools, saying it risks pricing families out of specialist education for their neurodivergent children.
She argued this will push even more SEND pupils into mainstream schools, making teacher training even more crucial.
A Personal Mission Born from Tragedy
The drive for this training began when Caroline was Health and Care Minister and met Paula McGowan, whose autistic son Oliver died after being given a dangerous chemical restraint in hospital. The training carries Oliver’s name as a legacy to prevent similar tragedies.
Dame Caroline concluded:
“I hope the Minister backs Oliver McGowan Mandatory Training in schools. It’s proven, effective, and it could transform the education experience for so many vulnerable children.”
