SP30 Response Accepted

Autism spectrum disorder police training

Recommendation

1. Lancashire Constabulary should strengthen its autism spectrum disorder‑related training for new officers and through continuous development.
2. National policing bodies, with input from the Department of Health and Social Care, should consider whether reforms to guidance or training are required.

Published Evidence Summary
The following publicly available evidence relates to this recommendation:
- The government response states that options for improving guidance or training on autism for police have been provided by the Department of Health and Social Care and the Home Office to the National Police Chiefs' Council and College of Policing, and that DHSC will support departments developing autism training (Government Response to Phase 1 of the Southport Inquiry, CP 1623, Home Office, July 2026).
How was this evidence gathered?
Evidence searched by claude-opus-4-8 on 02 Jul 2026
Checked data held on this site (government responses, progress updates, independent evidence)
Jurisdiction
UK-wide
Response
Accepted
Accepted Home Office
02 Jul 2026

Whilst this work will be led by national policing bodies, the Home Office and the Department for Health and Social Care (DHSC) are jointly providing input as required. Progress and next steps:
- Options for improving guidance and/or training for police have been provided by DHSC and Home Office to National Police Chiefs' Council and College of Policing.
- DHSC will support departments developing autism training by advising on aspects to consider and relevant experts.

Read Full Response
Progress Timeline
Home Office states: Official Report
02 Jul 2026

Government response published 2 July 2026 (CP 1623). The government accepted this recommendation; the lead department reports implementation is in progress.

Manual Entry
13 Apr 2026

Awaiting government response. Phase 1 report published 13 April 2026.

Source
Report The Southport Inquiry Report: Phase 1 13 Apr 2026
Responsible Bodies
Lancashire Constabulary Primary
Recommendation age 0.3 yrs
Last formal update 02 Jul 2026