ATL

Northern Ireland

The government review of special needs and inclusion is causing significant worry

The aims of the consultation are laudable enough - to move away from a legalistic, statutory (and litigious) statementing process and towards early identification of special educational needs and early intervention. ATL has welcomed parts of the proposals, such as the introduction of learning support coordinators as part of school senior management teams. We also welcome the promotion of dispute avoidance resolution services, thoroughly endorsed in the 2008 inspectorate survey.

ATL's concern is that the concept of inclusion, for many, has come to be associated with a lack of support, training and resources. There are fears that individuals are being disadvantaged at the expense of others; we see division and prejudice, while development, education and learning are compromised in the name of inclusion.
The most contentious parts of the consultation paper relate to the following: 

• The movement away from the statutory statementing process, towards coordinated support plans (CSPs), will increase the bureaucratic burden on teachers.

• With special needs tribunals still operative, teachers can only defend from litigation by producing bland, defensive and ultimately worthless CSPs.

• The provision of CPD or INSET training for such a key early identification role appears inadequate.

• The reconfiguring of the relationship between special schools and mainstream schools.

• The role of multi-disciplinary groups, made up mainly of health professionals, is unclear.

ATL believes real inclusion requires long-term planning, sufficient resources and clear vision. It cannot be done with economy, nor can it be allowed to succumb to tokenism. We recommend the government returns to the drawing board!