- What is the aim of the programme?
The Inclusion Development Programme is a £2m project to raise the confidence of teachers, support staff and early years practitioners. Developed by the DCSF in partnership with charities I CAN and Dyslexia Action, it will advise professionals on how to develop teaching strategies for children with SEN. Over the next four years it will focus on helping mainstream staff to deliver more inclusive practice, raising SEN awareness and enabling teachers to develop strategic approaches, to meet the diverse needs of children.
- How will the programme raise standards?
- Raising the skills of staff in identifying and meeting special education needs;
- Increasing access to specialist support;
- Improving accountability for children's outcomes;
- Providing better quality support for parents;
- Improving provision for children with behavioural, emotional and social difficulties or autistic spectrum disorders.
- What training materials will be available?
Initially these will focus on speech, language and communication needs, and dyslexia. Over the next four years, training on autistic spectrum disorders, behavioural issues and moderate learning difficulties will be added.
Information on the materials, including an interactive DVD and web-based resources to support leadership and individual teacher/practitioner professional development, will be available from the National Strategies in December.
- How will parents be supported?
Better information for parents is being promoted through the National Strategies. This will show what support is available for their child and how it links to appropriate arrangements and interventions to get the best SEN provision. Parent Partnership Services in local areas will also be expected to increase confidence in the impartiality and the quality of information and advice they provide.
Further information
- The Communication Trust is supporting the IDP. It was created earlier this year by Afasic, BT Better World Campaign and the Council for Disabled Children, hosted by I CAN, as 'a hub of communication and SEN expertise'. See www.thecommunicationtrust.org.uk
- The Bercow Review, led by MP John Bercow, aims to find ways for local services to work closer together, www.dcsf.gov.uk/bercowreview/index.shtml
- www.ican.org.uk
- www.dyslexiaaction.org.uk
- www.nationalstrategiescpd.org.uk.