Sorry for the delay in posting this ADHDers! It’s been a manic week or two trying to get prepared for Christmas among other things.
In recent news the education secretary under the newly formed Labour government announced plans to overhaul the SEN system in the UK, at a recent conference. Of course, those of us with SEN children or those who know SEN children have known for a good while that things were right because we’ve had to fight this broken system. What I wanted to know is what the changes she is proposing are and whether they go far enough to addressing the main issues.
Her main perspective from her speech seems to be that mainstream schools need to be more equipped to handle pupils with SEN by means of specialist provision or units. While I don’t disagree with the fact that all schools need to do more to be inclusive to all pupils of all abilities and this includes SEN, I also think that this could be detrimental to those who really cannot cope being in a mainstream environment.
“I really don’t like it when any government tells you what’s going to happen but not how somethings going to happen as it leads to frustration.”
ADHD Girl
As much as I agree that every child should have access to a good quality education that empowers them, I also know that there are now more children than ever than can’t cope with mainstream schools due to their additional teams. In fact a lot of these children have anxiety about just going through the school gates because they know what awaits them so in this case can integrating really be a good thing? Or will it simply mean that those negative feeling associated with the already mainstream school system prevents them from accessing it’s special provision anyway?
I’m not saying it can’t be done but I do think we need to air on the side of caution when it comes to managing this! In my mind it’s a transition that takes years, because some mainstream schools are worse than others at managing SEN needs. So not only do we need to equip the schools including making sure staff are better trained, resources are more effective but also we need to ensure there is a level playfield because we all know there is a postcode lottery when it comes to meeting SEN needs across the country. The last thing we need is for that to be made worse across mainstream schools.
“Let’s hope there are some much needed changes to a SEND system that is currently failing many and supporting a few.”
The good side of this is that there is more ongoing research as a new task force has been devised called the Neurodivergence Task and Finish Group who will look at the best ways of assessing, supporting and educating neurodivergent individuals. More research can only be a good thing so until then we remain optimistic of the possibilities when it comes to reforming SEN education. Though let us not forget that actions do indeed speak louder than words and until the government actually make bold changes to the SEND system, then they will remain in the same league as every government in the last four decades.
Catch you on the 5th December ADHDers with a new blog article!
