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Independent review

Neurodivergence Task and Finish Group: report

Completed
Professor Karen Guldberg · Published 23 February 2026 · Commissioned by DfE Health & Social Care

The conclusions and recommendations of the independent review into ways to support neurodivergent children and young people in mainstream education settings.

Government Response

No standalone government response to the Neurodivergence Task and Finish Group's recommendations was published. Its findings were incorporated into the DfE SEND reform package 'SEND reform: putting children and young people first', which cites the group's evidence and commits to national SEND training and the Inclusive Mainstream Fund (£1.6bn over three years).

27 April 2026

Recommendations

Recommendation 1
Department for Education
Recommendation One: Provide educational professionals with evidence based valid and accurate holistic educational assessment, along with effective support tools
Recommendation 2
Department for Education
Recommendation Two: Introduce a 'commitment to listen' to parents/carers and neurodivergent young people and recognise where settings do this well
Recommendation 3
Department for Education
Recommendation Three: Develop clear partnerships for supporting neurodivergent needs between education, health, and social care
Recommendation 4
Department for Education
Recommendation Four: Provide high quality professional development on strengths, needs, and support strategies for neurodivergent children and young people
Recommendation 5
Department for Education
Recommendation Five: Allow more flexible forms of assessment and curriculum
Recommendation 6
Department for Education
Recommendation Six: Adapt learning environments and ensure behaviour policies are rooted in an inclusive school culture that values understanding, acceptance and curiosity
Recommendation 7
Department for Education
Recommendation Seven: Develop a model to support strategic commissioning and planning for local authorities and health bodies
Recommendation 8
Department for Education
Recommendation Eight: Increase funding levels to schools to reflect the level of need within their population so they can support more neurodivergent children and young people within their core offer
Recommendation 9
Department for Education
Recommendation Nine: Develop clear and effective local routes to resolution when challenges occur
No recommendations with this response.