Session1 What do we mean by Diverse Needs and Inclusion?

Session aims To know key terms To be aware of the historical change in emphasis of SEN support/inclusion To analyse the barriers to effective inclusion

Definition of Special Educational Needs (SEN) Children have special educational needs if...... they have a learning difficulty which calls for special educational provision to be made for them

Children have a learning difficulty if they: Have a significantly greater difficulty in learning than the majority of children of the same age Have a disability which prevents or hinders them from making use of educational facilities' of a kind generally provided for children of the same age in schools within the area of the LEA Are under compulsory school age and fall within the above definitions or would do so if special education provision was not made for them DfES, SEN Code of Practice, 2001

Categories of Special Educational Needs (SEN) Cognition & learning Behaviour, emotional and social development Communication and interaction Sensory &/or physical needs Other SEN Match the following SEN to the relevant category: Dyslexia Hearing impairment ADHD Dyscalculia Cystic Fibrosis Asperger’s Syndrome

Definition of Inclusion and Integration Inclusion is the process of including individual pupils/learners with SEN in mainstream education. Integration refers more to the child ‘fitting in’ whilst inclusion requires modifications to include the child throughout the organisation and all aspects of the curriculum

Discussion point Why should SEN be defined and identified at all? How many children at your school are on the SEN register? What is that number as a proportion of the total school population?

Truth or myth 18% of pupils require special support at some time in their school career True – according to Warnock report 1978...even higher now? The main influence on making progress with a SEN child is the child’s attitude? False – other influences/barriers

Farrell M (2005) Key Issues in Special Education: Raising standards of pupil’s attainment and achievement. Routledge ...it is possible to confuse evidence that a pupil has SEN with evidence of: EAL Low attainment because of poor educational opportunities Pupils who are able but bored

History of SEN “support” Model Emphasis Key philosophy Psycho-Medical 1870-1970 Segregation Deficiency within the child Needs 1971-1989 Integration Child ‘fits in’ to existing structure Social & Affirmitive 1990 - Inclusion Social justice Reasonable adjustments Rights-based 2001 - Inclusion is a human right Equal opportunities

Medical model Focused on assessment, diagnosis and treatment Caused by the individual and their ‘medical’ problems Focused on what a child cannot do Disabled people can never by equal Cure = normalisation of the individual / personal adjustment Controlled by medical professionals ? Still used for some cases of ADHD,dyslexia

Social model Attitudes, values & beliefs operating within society cause disability It is society that needs to change - integration Environmental manipulation – eg DDA Power over people’s lives held by individuals not professionals Equality in society and education Does nothing to challenge the idea that disabled people cannot enjoy a quality of life

Affirmative model Impairment isn’t the problem, learnt stereotypes are Differently abled people take control over their own bodies Challenge to the view that disabled people want to be ‘cured’ Challenge to the notion of normality Positive identity of being differently abled

Rights-based model Focused on political/full inclusion No tolerance given to separate segregation system for education Recognises the collective strength of disabled people Determines that the agenda is set by disabled people and their allies Radical interventions & use of the law to end discrimination & for establishing the visibility of the democratically enforceable rights of disabled people

Video Inclusion (2006): http://www.teachersmedia.co.uk/videos/special-needs-inclusion The Big Debate: Inclusion (2006) - http://www.teachersmedia.co.uk/videos/inclusion Are the comments made still valid today?

Group work What influences your approach to inclusion today? What barriers prevent effective support for children with additional support needs? What is the future for Inclusive Education?

Session review What is meant by SEN? What is meant by Inclusion? Name one era of SEN ‘support’ and its key approach Give one reason for identifying pupils as SEN? Identify one barrier to effective support/ inclusion?

Disability Equality Duty (2005) Further references Disability Equality Duty (2005) www.dotheduty.org Every Child Matters Childcare Act (2006) www.everychildmatters.gov.uk

Estelle Morris meets Baroness Warnock Additional Video http://www.teachersmedia.co.uk/videos/baroness-warnock Estelle Morris meets Baroness Warnock Teachers TV Broadcast 3 October 2007