We are indebted to Stewart Jackson, MP for Peterborough, for asking four questions of government ministers in the House of Commons last month. You can read the questions and responses below. You can comment on all the replies on the 'They Work for You' website (just search for 'tourette').

15th December 2009:

Mr. Stewart Jackson: To ask the Secretary of State for Health what provision is made in the training of general practitioners to enable them to recognise and support people with Tourette syndrome; and if he will make a statement.

Ann Keen: The content of curriculum and quality and standard of training for general practitioners is not the responsibility of the Department but the responsibility of the appropriate professional regulatory body.

However, the Department is committed to working with the professional regulatory bodies, Royal Colleges and others to promote high standards of education and training to ensure that doctors are equipped with the up-to-date knowledge, skills and attitudes essential for professional practice.

Mr. Stewart Jackson: 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.

Mr. Coaker: 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.

Mr. Stewart Jackson: To ask the Secretary of State for Children, Schools and Families what support is provided by local authorities for children who have been excluded from school as a result of their Tourette syndrome; and if he will make a statement. 

Ms Diana R. Johnson: School governing bodies have a statutory duty to do their best to ensure that the necessary provision is made for any pupil who has special educational needs. The Department's statutory guidance on exclusions states that schools should try every practicable means to maintain the pupil in school, including seeking local authority (LA) and other professional advice and support at "School Action Plus" or, where appropriate, asking the LA to consider carrying out a statutory assessment.

During the first five days of a permanent exclusion, the LA should arrange to assess the pupil's needs and how to meet them. From the sixth day of a permanent exclusion, the LA is statutorily responsible for ensuring that suitable full-time education is provided to pupils of compulsory school age. Tourettes is often treated with a combination of drugs and behavioural therapy, and any educational intervention needs to follow appropriate local professional advice.

5th January 2010:

Mr. Stewart Jackson: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions what provision is made in the training of disability employment advisers to enable them to recognise and support people with Tourette syndrome seeking employment; and if she will make a statement.

Jonathan Shaw [holding answer 15 December 2009]: The administration of Jobcentre Plus is a matter for the Chief Executive of Jobcentre Plus, Darra Singh. I have asked him to provide the hon. Member with the information requested.

Letter from Darra Singh:

The Secretary of State has asked me to reply to your question concerning what provision is made in the training of disability employment advisers to enable them to recognise and support people with Tourette syndrome seeking employment. This is something that falls within the responsibilities delegated to me as Chief Executive of Jobcentre Plus.

Disability Employment Advisers (DEAs) are not specifically trained to recognise customers with Tourette Syndrome, however they are equipped to identify and either deal with or signpost customers to specialist help to address a diverse range of circumstances. Jobcentre Plus policy is to develop its people with the skills required to support a range of customers and to respect their individual needs.

The learning programme for Jobcentre Plus DEAs focuses on customers requiring more extensive support regarding their personal circumstances and the challenges they may have in their ability to look for and move into sustainable employment.

[Source http://www.publications.parliament.uk/pa/cm/cmhansrd.htm]

For more information on Written Answers, see the UK Parliament website.