Mr Patsy McGlone (Mid Ulster): To ask the Minister of Education how his Department intends to implement social distancing guidance in Autism Spectrum Disorder units and learning support units, where many of the issues can only be addressed by safe handling by adults employed in these units.
Minister of Education: All educational settings will adhere to Public Health Authority (PHA) guidance on social distancing. Autism Specific Classes are usually small (8 pupils) and this is an enabling factor in relation to social distancing.
On 4 June, the Department issued guidance to support safe working in educational settings. Safe handling policies and procedures will apply for particular pupils using individual management plans to take account of varying risks regarding Covid-19 within a school day.
ENDS
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