Ofsted has removed guidance that linked children with autism to a higher risk of extremism from its inspector training after a campaign led by celebrities including Chris Packham, Paul Whitehouse and Johnny Vegas. A training document titled Inspection Safeguarding Session, Prevent Extract 2024 said children with autism were “at increased risk of being susceptible to extremism” because they develop special interests, experience social isolation and use the internet to find friends. The human rights group Rights & Security International first identified the document and the National Autistic Society warned it risked stigmatising autistic traits. Chris Packham, who has been diagnosed with Asperger syndrome, called for the advice to be stopped to prevent discrimination. Ofsted defended the materials in June 2025 as explaining circumstances that can make some children vulnerable, but junior education minister Josh MacAlister told parliament that the renewed education inspection framework and updated Prevent training “no longer includes reference to children with autism.” Ofsted said it has never labelled autistic children “likely extremists” and that the removal follows the new inspection framework and fresh inspector training.
