Skilled management is central to the development of successful inclusive practice. Without the commitment and understanding of a manager who promotes the underpinning process and principles of inclusion, it is difficult to develop effective policy and practice in this area.
Inclusion works best when managers are secure and reflective enough in their practice to be open to change. Such managers are not threatened by the empowerment of staff, parents and children that should accompany the development of inclusive practice.
Conflicts, issues of communication, and poor teamwork within a setting will need to be addressed, because they are likely to hinder the process and have implications for the overall quality of the service. Appropriate training and support needs to be available for managers to extend and develop their skills and confidence in this area.
Planning and implementing an SEN policy is an opportunity for managers to get staff members, parents and children to focus on the 'how' and 'why' of including disabled children and to air any doubts, fears or misunderstanding of the process.
If your setting is reviewing your SEN policy or your policy on inclusion, it is helpful to work out a timetable that gives plenty of time for consideration of the issues.
Training on disability equality and inclusion can provide an invaluable backdrop to the policymaking process, giving staff an opportunity to develop their own understanding of the issues and context and to reflect on the implications for good practice.
In practical terms, most of the day-to-day responsibilities for managing and operating SEN policy will fall to the Special Educational Needs Co-ordinator (SENCO). In a setting that is well-managed, the SENCO will not be left feeling isolated and overburdened.
Managers and staff must also accept responsibility for being sympathetic to, and knowledgeable about, an individual child or family's requirements. In an inclusive setting there will be a recognition that provision for SEN is the responsibility of everyone.
USEFUL LINKS
- www.scribd.com/doc/6542984/ Inclusive-Education-An-Open-File-for-Managers
- www.eenet.org.uk/index_inclusion/IndexEYEnglish.pdf
- www.kids.org.uk/information/100428/100623/100836/briefings/
- http://nationalstrategies.standards.dcsf.gov.uk/earlyyears
- http://lmscontent.nscl.org.uk/ECM/index.cfm
Mary Dickins is an early years consultant (All Together Consultancy/London Met.University)