Disabled Children and the Equality Act 2010: What teachers need to know and what schools need to do

by BeckiNo Comments
The Council for Disabled Children (CDC) has recently updated its guide, Disabled Children and the Equality Act 2010: What teachers need to know and what schools need to do. The updated guide has been funded by the Department for Education. Schools have a range of duties under the Equality Act 2010: to staff, as employees; to parents and others, where the school is providing a service to other people using the school; and to pupils, staff and others who share other protected characteristics as well as disability. This guide is designed to help teachers understand the legislation and how it applies to their work with disabled pupils in their school. It explains what the Equality Act requires of schools and of governors, trustees and others who are the ‘responsible body’ for the school. The guide draws on examples of practices that may amount to discrimination or that may help schools to avoid discrimination. Many of these examples are drawn from the decisions of...
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Employ Autism: Resource Hub

Employ Autism: Resource Hub

by BeckiNo Comments
Are you an autistic young person?Are you a parent of an autistic young person? Are you worried about employability?Ambitious About Autism have designed a collection of toolkits to help more autistic young people access sustainable and meaningful employment opportunities.  The resources will help employers to develop their awareness and understanding of autism. They will support the hiring and retaining of talented autistic young people. These resources are also relevant for autistic young people, their parents/carers, teachers, and other relevant professionals to support a young person to make informed choices about their future employment opportunities. The resource has been co-produced in partnership with Ambitious about Autism Youth Patrons as experts by experience and expert partners Creased Puddle, utilising best practice and up-to-date research, the Autism Education Trust, and the Department of Education. Click the button below to access the hub. Employ Autism ...
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£8.1m scheme to create hundreds of new SEND school places

by BeckiNo Comments
Leicester City Council has announced that £8.1 million will be invested in scheme which will create hundreds of new school places and provisions for children with special educational needs. The proposals include: 3 of the Leicester Special Schools would provide extra facilitiesDesignated Specialist Provision (DSP) and Specialist Units would be created at 10 further schools across the city. Total of 228 permanent new school places would be provided for children with extra needs. Schools included are the Leicester Partnership School in Knighton (extra 40 places), Ellesmere College (extra 60-70 places) and Netherhall Special School (extra 30 places). They will all also receive various new or renovated facilities. Some of the proposed DSPs are: Sandfield Close Primary SchoolRushey Mead Primary SchoolKestrel Mead Primary SchoolWill Brook MeadFullhurst Community CollegeOrchard MeadMellor Primary SchoolBraunstone Primary School Read more at the Leicester Mercury. ...
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SYSTEM FOR CHILDREN WITH SPECIAL NEEDS IN ENGLAND ‘RIDDLED WITH INEQUALITIES’

by BeckiNo Comments
Damning report by MPs finds many pupils miss out on support and end up being excluded from education. Children with special educational needs and disabilities (SEND) are being failed by a system “riddled with unexplained inequalities”, according to a damning parliamentary report. The report says many of the 1.3 million pupils in England with SEND are not getting the support they need and end up being excluded from school, damaging their education, wellbeing and future life chances. You can read more in the Guardian or TES. What do you think about these findings? ...
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IPSEA Update on COVID-19, school closures and SEN provision

IPSEA Update on COVID-19, school closures and SEN provision

by BeckiNo Comments
Please follow the link here for the full briefing from IPSEA (Independent Provider of Special Education Advice). We understand that this is a very challenging time, and the uncertainty is impacting on families. The briefing covers the following questions that may help: What are children and young people with SEN’s entitlements when schools are closed? What if I don’t want to send my child to school, for example because they have a weakened immune system? If my child has an EHC plan, doesn’t the LA have a legal duty to deliver that provision? Will residential schools close? If my child was out of school before the school closures were ordered, do I still have an entitlement to alternative education? How long are schools likely be closed? What about home to school transport? Do the LA still need to carry out EHC needs assessments? Will SEND Tribunal appeals continue? Will annual reviews...
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Government defines Key Workers (COVID-19)

by BeckiNo Comments
The Department for Education published their list of 'key workers' last night whose children will be prioritised in schools. Health and Social Care (doctors, nurses, midwives, paramedics, support and specialist staff in the Health and Social Care sector, distributors)Education and Childcare (nursery, teaching staff and social workers)Public Services (justice system, religious staff, those responsible for the deceased and journalists)Local and National GovernmentFood and other necessary goods (production, processing, distribution, sale and delivery)Public and National Safety and Sercurity (police, support staff, Ministry of Defence, Armed Forces, Fire and Rescue, Border Security, prisons and probation)Transport (all air, water, road and rail passenger and freight transport)Utilities, Communication and Financial Services (oil, gas, electricity, water and sewerage operations. Telecommunications, postal service and the financial services) This applies when both parents are key workers (or in single parent households). If this applies to you, contact your childs school and/or the Local Authority. ...
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Special Educational Needs and Disabilities Inquiry

Special Educational Needs and Disabilities Inquiry

by Becki2 Comments
In 2014, the Government introduced changes to the SEND system, with the intention of offering simpler, improved and consistent help for children and young people with SEND. The Government claimed these changes would give families greater choice in decisions. The Committee’s inquiry has reviewed these reforms, how they have been implemented, and what impact they are having. Read the interactive report here. ...
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