Transcript www.bedfordshire.gov.uk

Chairs of Governing Bodies
Meeting
7th May 2008
20th May 2008
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SEN and Disability
Since April 2007
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Consultation on improving provision for
SEN in Bedfordshire
Paper went to Executive in January
2008
Recommendations
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Working on the recommendations in the
context of the move to two new Unitary
Authorities
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Disability Equality
Definition
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“ A person has a disability if he has a
physical or mental impairment which
has a substantial and long term adverse
effect on his ability to carry out normal
day-to-day activities”
SEN and Disability Act (2001)
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3 Key Duties
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Not to treat disabled pupils less favourably
for a reason related to their disability
To make reasonable adjustments for
disabled pupils, so they are not places at a
substantial disadvantage
To plan to increase access to education for
disabled pupils
Planning duties
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Accessibility of the curriculum
Accessibility of the environment
Accessibility of information
Disability Equality Duty
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Introduced into the DDA in 2005
More proactive
More explicit
More involved
More comprehensive
Duties
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Promote positive attitudes towards
disabled persons
Encourage participation by disabled
persons in public life
Promote equality of opportunity
Eliminate disability related harassment
Eliminate unlawful discrimination
Use positive discrimination if necessary
Guiding Principles of Disability
Equality Duty
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Proportionality
Effectiveness
Involvement
Transparency
Impacts on all policies, practices and
procedures
Issues
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There is a rise in Disability
Discrimination cases in schools going to
Tribunal
2 x more likely to be bullied if disabled
9 x more likely to be excluded than
non-disabled peers
Lack of clarity about reasonable
adjustments
Upheld Tribunal Claims
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Assumptions
Risk assessments
Administration of medicines
School trips
Behaviour related to disability
Bullying and isolation from peers
Access to the curriculum
Admissions
Resources
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Implementing the Disability
Discrimination Act in Schools and Early
Years Settings (DCSF – order free)
Free CPD has been run over the last
two terms – will run more if required
[email protected]