SEN Inclusion Review - Implementation
In October 2005 Gateshead Council began a full-scale review of its SEN provision.
Over a two year period we asked people’s views about the future of SEN provision and looked at what special support is currently available. We looked at a range of options for SEN provision and asked for views on these options.
We listened to those views and came up with 54 recommendations for the future of SEN provision in Gateshead.
Summary of the proposals from the review
The main aim of the SEN review is to increase inclusion. We also need to make sure that any funding and resources for special educational needs is used as effectively as possible. We would like more children with SEN to have the opportunity to attend mainstream schools, if that is what their parents want. We think fewer children should have to go outside Gateshead to have their SEN met.
At the moment children either attend a special school or unit or attend a mainstream school. We think there should be more options. Options could include:
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Part time attendance in a special school or unit;
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Short-term placement in a special school or unit;
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Special school classes taught in mainstream schools for some of the time;
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Children on the register at both a mainstream and special school so that they can attend the special school when they need to but stay in mainstream when they can.
We think it is important that the special provision should be as flexible as possible so it can adapt to the different SEN of different children.
How will the SEN Review proposals be taken forward?
We are setting up a small team who will be responsible for taking the recommendations of the review forward. Some of the work is already underway. For example,
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We are working with several primary schools to set up new mainstream provision for pupils with behaviour difficulties.
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We now have mainstream provision for deaf children who previously had to attend schools outside of Gateshead.
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We are planning new support and assessment provision in mainstream settings for pre-school children with disabilities.
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We are providing training for staff in mainstream schools on dyslexia and speech and language difficulties and we are working with the special schools to change the way they are funded.
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We are working with special schools to change the way they are funded. We want to make sure the funding is fair while allowing them more flexibility in the way they work.
Will this really improve provision for children with SEN?
To make sure the changes will benefit children with SEN, we will use the governments 'SEN Improvement Test'. This says we must be able to demonstrate the educational benefits that will result from the proposals. For example, we need to show that the changes will result in:
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Better access to education and the curriculum;
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Improved access to specialist staff;
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Improved access to suitable accommodation.
We believe the changes will benefit children with SEN but we will be continuing to consult with young people, parents, carers, staff and governors to help us to be successful.