Inclusion in your local school should be the ultimate aim for all SEND pupils where this is achievable without adversely impacting the education of other pupils. However, cost implications do exist to running a genuinely inclusive approach. I run a secondary resource for PD pupils and would begin this with some very simple practical issues:

1. Intimate care - need for larger bathrooms with hoists etc. The cost implication of providing and then maintaining these in multiple schools will be high. Staff training needs in mainstream for intimate care, and the reality that school staff can't be required to do this unless it is in their contract, which it won't be for mainstream.

2. Physio/movement - need for equipment like hoists/re-turns etc. to allow pupils to change posture during the day, access physio beds etc. Cost of multiple sites having the physio bed, hoist, is very high. Should NOT be in the toilet as this is unhygienic, removes access to toilet during physio etc. This means 2 x rooms adapted per school!

3. Physical adaptation of schools for access - doorways wide enough, classrooms big enough, no lips on doorways etc. = big cost

4. Curriculum adaptation for access - inclusion of positive role model mentions of persons with disability to lessons, assemblies etc. adaptation of PE requiring specialist equipment, adaptation of resources in lesson etc. Much easier and cheaper if already have the expertise.

5. Teaching staff training will be required for all the staff with no experience or training in these schools.

Jo which authority are you?

Kim

Hello Jo

LAs are required to undertake Equality Impact Assessments when undertaking a significant change; this has to include consultation with groups with related protected characteristics ie families and CYP with PD & VI in this case.

Any local authority wanting to make changes to places for children and young people with any kind of special educational need (SEN) or disability, is required by the Department for Education (DfE) to apply the SEN Improvement Test.

Hi Jo

I wondered whether your specialist resource provision runs outreach or in-reach, or supports students in mainstream in other ways that the LA may not be aware of.  How are mainstreams in your area currently managing with complex needs?

It is very difficult to collect relevant data that the LA would understand on pupil progress as all PD students have such different needs, however, demonstrating progress again EHC plan outcomes, pupil voice and outcomes post 16 are ways that we evidence the impact that we are having on the students we support in mainstream.

Good luck, Julie